If there were ever a day spent in the rough, the ASU women's golf team experienced it earlier this week at the NCAA Fall Preview.
The Sun Devils finished dead last in the 18-team event at the par 72, 6,025-yard Kampen Course of the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in West Lafayette, Ind. The 54-hole tournament hosted by Purdue is the precursor to the 2003 NCAA Championships.
"Of course I was hoping for a better turnout. However, I told the team that we will be the most improved team when we come back in May," ASU head coach Melissa McNamara said. "You can't do anything but go up. A kick in the butt tells you where you are and where you need to be. All the golfers are talented, they just all had a bad week at the same time."
Leading the way for ASU was senior Blair O'Neal, who fired a three-round total of 9-over 225 (74-76-75) to finish tied for 18th place.
"The golf course was extremely difficult," McNamara said. "Blair had eight birdies and a lot of pars, but a couple doubles from bad planning. She just needs some fine-tuning. She has all the tools to go to the next level."
Sophomore Erin Tone finished tied for 80th place at 30-over 246 (84-81-81) and senior Gaëlle Truet came in tied for 83rd place by carding a 32-over 248 (87-78-83). Two Sun Devil newcomers — freshmen Alissa Kuczka and Sara Jones — finished 62nd and 83rd, respectively.
"Alissa's going to hit a lot of fairways, and she kept the ball in play. Her strength is her short game, and it wasn't as good as normal," McNamara said. "Sara was surprised at how tough the course was, but she learned a lot. She needs to take that attitude and go to work."
UA climbed from third to first on the final day to win the tournament at 25-over 889. UA sophomore Miriam Kraschinski captured medalist honors with a 1-under 215.
The Sun Devils will have a quick turnaround after their season-opening event. They are scheduled to leave Tuesday to play in the Dick McGuire Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M.
"The first semester is for me to evaluate players and give everyone a chance to play," McNamara said. "I really won't formulate solid goals until after the fall is over, and then I need to form a goal that is attainable."
Reach the reporter at casey.pritchard@asu.edu.
