Seniors' top finishes in summer tourneys give Hoosiers hope

With many Hoosiers returning and a lot of talent, the women's golf team could be a hot ticket. Coach Sam Carmichael is entering his 23rd season as head coach at IU. In that time, he has seen many great players. \nThroughout the summer, each player makes her own tournament schedule in order to keep her skills sharp and keep in a competitive frame of mind. Although Carmichael is always there to talk to the women and give them advice, he is not allowed to coach them as a team until classes have started. Senior Ambry Bishop said a lot of the girls go home and play in their own state tournaments as well as national tournaments. Carmichael concentrates on preparing practices for the season and following his players in their individual events.\nPlaying in these tournaments allows the women to work on their game in a competitive setting as well as put them in the right frame of mind for the season. They concentrate on their weakest areas -- such as their short game, pitching, chipping, bunker play or putting in order to improve and bring scores down. \n"I changed everything about my putting this summer and it helped a ton," Bishop said. \nHer success was evident in her win at the Indiana Women's Golf Association Match Play Championship. She also finished 13th at the IWGA State Amateur. Bishop said winning in the summer gives you more confidence going into the season. \nAdditionally, the experience of playing with professionals and teaching pros gives the women a boost in confidence and a different mindset. \n"Playing with people who are a lot better than me gave me a new outlook. I realized we can play as well as they can," said senior Bethany Brunner. She worked with PGA professionals at a Nike Golf camp this summer in addition to competing in four tournaments. \nAll-American senior Karen Dennison also had experience with the pros. She received a sponsor's exemption to play in the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic in Vienna, Ohio in June. She only missed the final round by eight strokes. Additionally, she won the Indiana Women's Golf Association Amateur Championships, going into the final round seven shots ahead of second place.\nLast year, the team had struggled in Big Tens and regionals, ending play earlier than it had hoped. This year, the women want to "go to nationals and place well, because we know we can," Bishop said. \nThough they have not discussed specific goals for the season, they are focusing on being consistent in the Big Ten, eliminating bad rounds, and winning in order to prove to their opponents that they are top competitors, Carmichael said. Carmichael would also like to see the women individually improve their stats. \n"If they do that, then we could have a very successful and fun season," he said.\nThe reigning Big Ten champion, Ohio State, is returning every player and has home course advantage in the Big Ten tournament. They could be the biggest competition for the Hoosiers. \n"In our region, Ohio State, Kent State, Purdue, and Michigan State are the expected teams that will be the most competitive. I am sure there will be some surprises," Carmichael said.\nIn order to achieve these goals, the team will be looking for leadership in Dennison. Last year she was selected first team All-American, a first-team Verizon Academic All-American, and a member of the Women's Division I At-Large team. She won a share of the 2003 Big Ten Championship individual title. She also had 10 top-10 finishes in the 11 events in which she competed. Her stroke average, 73.94, was just two-tenths shy of the school record. \n"I hope Karen can continue her fine play through her senior year," Carmichael said. "There is not any reason she can't unless she decides it is not a priority. She is an outstanding player with an excellent golf game. I do not know how many tournaments she can win. Sometimes that is being in the right place at the right time. I would like to see her focus on lowering her scoring average." \nAnother Hoosier golfer entering her senior year is Danah Ford. \n"Ford had an excellent junior year, nearly winning a couple times," Carmichael said. "I think she can break into that winning circle this year. Most importantly, she needs to also lower her scoring average because that would really help the team." \nFord placed second behind Dennison in the Indiana Women's Golf Association Amateur championships this summer. In five of the eleven events in which she competed last year, she posted a top-seven finish.\n"She is very talented with mostly natural ability. Everything comes naturally to her," Bishop said.\nBishop herself is the final senior golfer on the team. She comes into the season with a third place finish on last year's team with a 78.44 average.\n"At any given point, there is never one player that carries the team," Bishop said. \nThe Mary Fossum Invitational in East Lansing, Mich., on September 20th is the first event for IU women's golf. The Hoosiers hope their prepared state of mind will help them achieve success.\n"Golf is mental, if you think you are going to do well, you will," Bishop said.\n-- Contact staff writer Holly Pilewski at hpilewsk@indiana.edu.