Women’s golf prepares for spring season

In Bloomington during the winter, golf practice is not an option.

This could present a problem, but no one understands trying to balance practicing during a long break better than IU women’s golf Coach Clint Wallman.

After pulling out a victory in the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown in late October, the Hoosiers haven’t played in another competitive event.  Their next match isn’t scheduled to kick off until Sunday in the Lady Puerto Rico Classic in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Wallman said he doesn’t see the extended break as a negative thing.

“For the most part, we are doing fine,” Wallman said. “The best part about having a break is knowing that we are going to have one. The break for us is a good thing, because it allows for us to mentally recharge, get focused and figure out where we are at going into the spring.”

Another challenge Wallman faces during the extended off-season is figuring out how to design drills customized to his players once they return from break.

“The drills we have the capability to do really depend on the weather, number one, but these are also elite players, so we look at them individually,” Wallman said. “Some players may be hitting irons, while others are working on chipping and putting. We take a very individual approach to each player’s improvement and development, and that’s a really big deal to us.”

The players said they have been ready to get back out on the course, as well.

The group seemed confident as they hit practice balls and worked on different aspects of their games.

The players are looking to build upon both individual and team successes from last year.

With a seemingly strong blend of seasoned veterans and youth, members of this team said they look to build off of its high points from last season. Senior Pam Burneski, who played in Asia in 2012 as part of the NCAA All-Star team,  said she is taking valuable lessons from that experience into this season.

“It helped me grow as a person, seeing all of the different cultures,” Burneski said. “I had to learn how to adapt to different situations, so taking that onto the golf course will help me be more comfortable when I’m under pressure.”

Freshman Marissa DeCola said the experience of making the jump to a Big Ten environment is an exciting prospect. She said she welcomes the opportunity to play against better quality players and have more rigorous practices.

“We have done some cardio training in the weight room, along with Coach (Wallman) checking our swings, making sure we are doing everything right,” she said. “We do lots of individual work, as well, and have been hitting lots of balls.” 

As she watched the members of the team strike shot after shot into the fieldhouse’s practice net, DeCola said she is looking forward to the upcoming season.

“I’m definitely ready to get going in the spring,” she said. “I think we can really do some great things.”