Story by Keith Jaco, Staff writer
Murray State women’s golf team is in the midst of preparing for the biggest tournament of its season.
The team will be one of 72 squads looking to capture the NCAA women’s golf championship when they travel to their regional in Madison, Wisconsin this weekend. Last week, the Racers received one of 27 automatic bids given out to conference winners across the nation.
The Racers will look to become the first mid-major program to win a national championship when they begin the first round of play on Monday. In recent years, the tournament has been dominated by power-five schools like Duke, USC, UCLA and last year’s winner Arizona State.
Murray State women’s golf is headed to Madison, Wisconsin to compete in the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship regional! pic.twitter.com/fvTHDL8dFQ
— MSU Sports News (@MSUSportsNews) April 25, 2018
The NCAA tournament is nothing new to 25-year Head Coach Velvet Milkman. Milkman likes her team’s poise coming off their OVC Championship win just two weeks ago.
“We’re in the best spot we’ve been all year,” Milkman said. “Obviously the win gave us a lot of confidence. They’re very excited about going to the next level; they’ve been there and they know what to expect and they’re very happy about going back.”
Preparation for the biggest stage of the year is no different than in years past for Milkman, as the Racers have spent most of the week working on their game at Miller Memorial Golf Course.
“Anna Moore, our senior, said yesterday, ‘We need to stay in our routine; we need to still go to weights in the morning’,” Milkman said. “The only difference is finals. They have to take finals this week, but other than that it’s business as usual.”
Milkman expects leadership and solid rounds of play from not only her seniors but also from sophomores Lucila Puente Rodriguez de Austria and Raeysha Surendran. Junior Linette Holmslykke from Vejle, Denmark will contribute valuable playing time for the Racers as well.
“I expect them to lead by example and lead in ways that they know how, but I expect them all to play well, whether they’re a sophomore, junior, senior or freshman, they know that when they put on that Murray State uniform and carry that bag they’re expected to play well.
Senior Moa Folke will be playing in what may be her last event as a Murray State Racer next week.
“It will for sure be a special tournament for me,” Folke said. “It’s not going to be the last time I play golf so in that way it won’t feel all that sad but it’s going to be special and a fun time.”
The Racers will look to send Folke and her fellow seniors out on a high note when Murray State begins first round play on Monday, May 7, at the University Ridge Golf Club in Madison, Wisconsin.