Indiana University Athletics
Tournament Diary: Elaine Harris
9/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Sept. 13, 2006
Throughout the 2006-07 season, members of the Indiana women's golf team will be reporting their tournament travels for IUHOOSIERS.com. Junior Elaine Harris opened the season with a diary from the Badger Invitational.
"We left on Friday, Sept. 8 with five IU golfers - myself, GiGi (Anita Gahir), KB (Kellye Belcher), Paula (Laura Nochta) and Amber (Lindgren) in the lineup. After cramming the luggage in the back of the Suburban, Coach Wallman and the gang drove north to Madison, Wis. Shuffling through CD's from each of the girls throughout the drive, we got a chance to talk, laugh and get to know each other a little better through music and personal stories. We arrived in Madison Friday night and quickly went to bed.
Up early the next morning (Saturday, Sept. 9), we headed out to University Ridge and prepared ourselves for the practice round. I couldn't help but notice the maturity of the three freshmen and sophomore Amber Lindgren. I was impressed with their course management, their games and the shots they created around the greens. We flew through the practice round, navigating the golf course and enjoying ourselves. After the round we had a great dinner with some of the parents at an Italian restaurant and enjoyed the company.
On September 10, the first official day of the tournament season, it rained. It rained throughout the 10 hours that we were on the course. However, not only did we survive the constant rain, we also survived the vicious mosquitoes that swarmed on the golf course.
At one point my playing partner and I begin talking about the worst conditions that we have played in. The 2006 fall opener was in there with one of the worst I have played in as a Hoosier golfer. I compared Sunday with the day at Big Ten's my freshman year when we played through a snowstorm in late April. Golfers, and particularly Hoosier women golfers, are strong and focused. Even with the rain, we played with a purpose and hit every shot with purpose. It paid off, too! We finished the day in the lead, two shots ahead of Oklahoma.
On September 11, we woke up early and packed. Again, it was raining. While the rest of the country thought about those lost in the World Trade Center and the day that changed our lives, the women's golf team was focused on playing some golf. Granted, we acknowledged the important day too.
September 11, 2006 will never be forgotten in the realm of Indiana golf. We posted our lowest rounds of the season at 302 and brought home the medal for Coach Wallman's desk. We WON! We beat the Wisconsin Badgers, who came in second by 10 shots!
After an acceptance speech by Coach Wallman, we safely and sleepily made the trip south. Arriving back in Bloomington late on Monday night, we went our separate ways to get some sleep.
We are excited for this week's tournament and are looking forward to spending more time together and playing the course at Michigan State."
Harris finished in third position at the Badger Invitational after carding a 10-over par total of 226 (74-77-75). It was her highest finish as a Hoosier in her career.
