Women’s team headed south to Albuquerque

The IU women’s golf team will pack its bags and head to the southwest this weekend to compete in the 30th annual Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M.

The Hoosiers want to finish higher than their ninth place showing last year in Albuquerque.

“I know we will definitely play better than last year,” senior Laura Nochta said. “We are looking to finish in the top three or win as that is kind of our goal for every tournament this fall.”

The Hoosiers will face more of a national field in Albuquerque with six teams ranked in the top 30 competing, including last year’s defending champion and host New Mexico.

“It’s a national field, but, until they introduce tackling into golf, it’s still just us and the golf course,” IU coach Clint Wallman said.

A veteran lineup will represent the Hoosiers this weekend with three seniors and one junior, all of whom played last year at the Invitational. Freshman Pamela Burneski will also compete for the Hoosiers.

Senior Kellye Belcher will build off her fifth-place finish from last week at the Mary Fossum Invitational and ride the confidence into the rest of the fall season.

“I had not been in that position for a while and it was a totally different feel,” Belcher said. “After the first three holes, though, I kind of settled down and just played my game.”

Nochta has had success in Albuquerque before finishing fourth last year with a three-round total of two-under-par 217.

Senior Anita Gahir will make a return trip to the New Mexico Tournament along with junior Cecilia Orevik, who is making her season debut.

“Ceci had a good weekend of qualifying and is also really familiar with New Mexico, having played there and having some local knowledge,” Wallman said.

For the newcomer Burneski, the mix of four veterans and a freshman has only helped the team and given her the confidence to play at the highest of levels.

The Invitational will begin Saturday with 36 holes and conclude Sunday with 18 holes. The team’s performance can be followed on Golfstat.com.

“Last week was a lot of fun and it was great to get out there with the seniors,” Burneski said. “All three of the seniors have been very supportive and would do anything to help all the freshman compete to the level they know they can.”