Indiana University Athletics
Burneski Starts Strong in Freshman Campaign
9/15/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Sept. 15, 2009
IUHoosiers.com contributor
A lot of freshman student-athletes ease their way into the college experience, some finding difficulty in balancing multiple tasks at once.
Freshman golfer Pamela Burneski exploded into the start of her Hoosier career by qualifying second on the team and finishing 16th in her first collegiate tournament, in a field with many seasoned athletes.
While some freshman might feel nervous playing in their first competition, Burneski said she was excited about the experience and felt strong.
"I was pretty confident because of all the help from my upperclassmen and the coaches," she said.
Her success over the summer didn't hurt either.
Burneski, who hails from Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, won three events over the course of the summer. The tournaments included the Washington State Golf Association Amateur Championship, Washington State Golf Association Women's Best Ball Championship and the Tamarack Golf Tournament. In addition she traveled across the United States and played in many American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) events.
In addition to experience in the United States Burneski also has international experience as well. She placed 34th at the 2006 Callaway Junior World Golf Championships and was fifth at the 2005 AJGA Zona Norte in Monterrey, Mexico.
Burneski said she looked at many different colleges before ultimately deciding to represent the cream and crimson.
"I loved IU because the coaching was awesome, the facilities were great and the team seemed to bond really well," she said.
When she arrived at IU, Burneski shared her Canadian roots with two other teammates. Fellow freshman Jacqueline Yanch is from Barrie, Ontario, Canada, and senior Anita Gahir comes from Thornhill, Ontario.
As the team tries to get back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2007 Burneski could play a key role in the group, which only returns five players.
IU coach Clint Wallman said he believes Burneski will have a positive impact on the team this year.
"Pamela is one of those unique talents who appear every once in a while," Wallman said. "She has the perfect blend of skills, competitiveness, attitude and work ethic. She will have a phenomenal career as a Hoosier and beyond."
As Burneski departed the golf course around 10a.m. after a practice that started two and a half hours earlier she said the first three weeks have been a lot of work and she is looking forward to the rest of the year.
The life of a freshman athlete is certainly a busy one. Outside of school Burneski is working very hard with the golf team.
"Were doing yoga, workouts and practice," she said with a smile. "There is nothing the golf team can't do."
Burneski and the Hoosiers will be back in action this weekend as they travel to New Mexico for the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational.
