Feb. 20, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. -- For the 2002-03 Northwestern women's golf team, it is all about the finish.
With a string of three straight NCAA regional appearances under their belts, the Wildcats want to return to postseason play and then the national championships.
"We want to be a realistic contender for a conference title on the final day at Big Ten's," says head coach Chris Regenberg. "This team has expectations of advancing to the NCAA finals."
The team enters 2003 aware of what lies ahead. The 'Cats return five golfers with collegiate experience, including three who competed in last season's NCAA Central Regional Championships.
"Experience makes a huge difference," says Regenberg. "All the way from knowing the routines on the road, to getting to know the golf courses, and knowing the level of competition.
"I think those are the types of things that are difficult to explain to athletes that are new to college golf and you have to go through that process yourself to really digest it and have confidence with it."
Leading the Wildcats is four-year starter Elizabeth Burden. Burden, a two-time All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten recipient, is trying to join former teamate Emily Gilley as the only Northwestern women's golfers to garner all-conference honors three times. She enters this year with the second-best scoring average in Northwestern's history. Burden gave notice to the competition this past fall with three top-20 finishes, including a sixth-place finish at the Lady Northern.
"Elizabeth stepped into the No.1 position this fall with confidence and purpose," says Regenberg. "She has gained tremendous respect as a top U.S. amateur player. Her runner-up finish at the 2002 Trans Amateur this past summer proves her talent and determination."
Burden will be challenged at the top of the lineup by sophomore Ina Kim. Last year, Kim showed she could make an impact at the collegiate level, finishing with the team's second-lowest stroke average (78.19). Her performance, which included three top-10 finishes, was highlighted by a fourth-place finish at the Baylor-Tapatio Spring Tournament.
"We are excited about Ina's potential this spring," says Regenberg. "She gained confidence in her putting throughout the fall, and her ball-striking gave her plenty of birdie opportunities. She is an elite player.
"We look foward to seeing Ina break into a higher level of play this spring."
The rest of the Wildcat lineup is dominated by sister combinations-Lauren and Mary Ellen Grzebien, and Erin and Kerri Breslin.
Lauren was Northwestern's medalist at the 2002 NCAA Central Regional Championships. She enters the spring on a positive note after placing 18th at the 2002 Mercedes Benz Championships.
"Lauren is a model player as far as course management skills, and her determination is truly outstanding," says Regenberg. "Lauren is a key player for us, very steady and experienced."
Her sister, Mary Ellen, moves into the starting lineup after seeing action in four events last year. In her first collegiate tournament, The Lady Northern, Grzebien finished with rounds of 74 and 75 for a 31st-place showing.
"Mary Ellen's game has made great improvement this fall," says Regenberg. "Her integration of new short-game techniques has given her more low-score opportunities and with some equipment updates this winter her long game will undoubtedly reach new levels."
Erin Breslin is in her senior year with the 'Cats. Last year, she got a taste of postseason competition, participating in the Big Ten Championships. This past fall, she competed in four events and fired a round of 73 at The Lady Northern.
"Erin came into her senior year without having a lot of collegiate experience," says Regenberg. "However, she showed her talents and positive outlook in the fall. Erin knows she can score low in competition, and she is gaining a tremendous amount of confidence with each event she plays in."
Her sister, Kerri, is a newcomer to the Wildcat squad this year. The sophomore already participated in two events last fall.
"Kerri came to us as a transfer and has been successful at making adjustments to Northwestern," says Regenberg.
Rounding out the roster is junior Stephanie Cranston.
The 'Cats hope their experience will carry them through the long season ahead.
"Our season will be viewed as a work in progress," says Regenberg. "We will take one shot at a time, one tournament at a time, and hopefully we will build on all of the positive steps and peak at the right moments this spring."
The 2002-03 squad enters the spring determined to fulfill their potential, and reach the goal of being there at the end.
"This year's team has expectations of themselves as individuals," says Regenberg. "For us to continue playing well through regionals and make it to the final championships is really the expectaion that we are moving foward with. "We have incredibly talented players-we just need to flourish at the right times."
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Northwestern begins the spring season on Monday, Feb., 24 at the 54-hole Central District Classic, which is being held at the par-72, 6,113-yard Wildnerness Country Club in Parrish, Fla.
The 15-team field includes seven Big Ten teams, including defending champion Michigan State, one of the co-hosts along with Northwestern, and No. 15 Ohio State.
The field will play 36 holes Monday with the final 18 holes set for Tuesday.
"It is a good field for us this time of year," says Regenberg. "The higher-ranked teams in the tournament have been outside already. We will need to stay focused and put aside our thoughts about not having been outside.
"Depth is important, as even our more seasoned players are more vulnerable this time of year. I have been optimistic with Erin's (Breslin) play this winter. I am looking forward to seeing if she can transfer it to tournament play."
For up-to-date live scoring, visit 2003 Central District Classic Results