The Alabama women’s golf team opens the spring schedule at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic Sunday.
The Crimson Tide begins the season ranked No. 1 in both the Golf World/NGCA Coaches’ Poll and the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index. The ranking comes after two wins in the fall schedule.
When asked if the ranking will affect his players, head coach Mic Potter said the team knows that rankings don’t matter now.
“There are no trophies given right now,” Potter said. “They are given in May. Our focus is on the next shot. The first tee in Puerto Rico is the only thing that matters.”
Alabama has had strong showings at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic in the past. The team won in 2008 and 2010. Potter said the team looks forward to the good weather and environment in Puerto Rico, adding that the cold weather has been a factor in preparations for the tournament.
“It’s hard to feel your hands on the club,” Potter said. “We’ve had to deal with this the past few years. But the truth is, everyone’s in this situation.”
The team will defend its title by relying on a good short game.
“We learned the way we putt is the way we score,” Potter said. “Our short game will be the most important.”
Junior Brooke Pancake said the depth on this year’s team will also be beneficial for tournaments.
“We don’t rely heavily on one or two people,” Pancake said. “When we are counting a 74 and better, that wins tournaments. We want it and we are capable of it.”
Senior Camilla Lennarth said, “This is a great team. We started the Fall Preview thinking, ‘We hope we could win.’ Now we think we can win. We have five really good players for the tournaments.”
Alabama’s two wins in the fall were the NCAA Fall Preview and the Tar Heel Invitational. The NCAA Fall Preview was played at the Traditions Golf Club in Bryan, Texas, which also hosts the NCAA Championships.
Potter said that the victory on the course gave the team confidence but also that weather conditions would make the course different by May.
“I don’t know what the record is for a team who wins on the course early in the season,” Potter said. “But there was no wind in September. It will be a different course with the wind in May. And the holes will be harder as well.”
The Tide will play in four tournaments before the SEC Championship tournament, which are hosted by Auburn. They will then compete in the NCAA Regionals before returning to Texas for the NCAA Championships.
Alabama gained recognition after finishing third at last year’s NCAA Championships. Pancake said the strong finish helped the team.
“People know our name,” Pancake said. “We’re true competition now. We can get that huge win.”
Lennarth said Alabama gained notoriety from that strong showing at the championships.
“We earned some respect,” she said. “People know we’re good.”
