Florida Gators
Lady Gamecock Classic (Day 3)
Gators women's golf coach Dowling likes heading West for early test
Monday, February 6, 2012 | Women's Golf, Women's Tennis, Scott Carter
UF women's golf coach Jan Dowling wasn't quite as dramatic as professional wrestler Ric Flair – a noted Gators fan – used to be when he would scream “TO BE THE MAN YOU GOTTA BEAT THE MAN” into the microphone. That was Flair's way of telling upcoming opponents that they didn't stand a chance.
Dowling's message Monday was much more humble and on the opposite end of the spectrum than where Flair's bravado erupted from.
Dowling wants the Gators to be considered one of the top teams in the country. For that to happen they have to be tested. That's why Dowling likes to open the spring season at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge in Palos Verdes, Calif.
The 15-team tournament is actually hosted by Ohio State but has a strong Western flavor. Top-ranked UCLA, two-time defending champion USC and traditional power Arizona State are all in the field. Pepperdine, a three-time winner of the tournament, is also playing along with Oregon and UC-Davis.
The No. 15-ranked Gators will certainly be tested with eight of the top 20 teams in the latest GolfWeek national rankings in the field.
“I can't tell you how excited I am to get going,'' Dowling said. “I love going out West. I try to get a trip out West once or twice a year for a lot of different reasons. One is for the weather; two is to be competing against the best teams in the country.
“Right now the No. 1 team is UCLA and in order to beat them we've got to play them. It's also a great measuring stick for us for the rest of our spring.”
The 54-hole tournament is being played at Palos Verdes Golf Club, a 5,912-yard course that is a par 71. The Gators finished eighth in the event in 2011 and are looking to improve upon that coming off a solid fall season.
For that to happen, Dowling said the Gators will need to control their iron shots to the slick greens. The course is one of the most difficult the Gators play and considering the field, nothing will be easy.
“You cannot hide your weaknesses out there,'' she said. “It's a wonderful field and a wonderful challenge for our team. Believing they can win I think is extremely important. I believe they can do it. I think if we can get ourselves in contention that is really going to be great for the rest of our seasons.''
A player to watch is Gators freshman Camilla Hedberg, who is ranked the top amateur player in Spain before coming to UF. In her first collegiate tournament last fall, Hedberg shot a school-record 8-under 208 (54-hole event) to finish third at the Cougar Classic in Charleston, S.C.
