Women debut at Wildcat Invitational

The UW women’s golf team opened its spring season in Tucson, Ariz., at the Wildcat Invitational yesterday. The 54-hole tournament, hosted by the University of Arizona, is played on the par 71, 6,238-yard Arizona National Golf Club.

The Huskies finished in 14th place, shooting a 23-over 307 after one round of play.

The young Husky team, made up of three sophomores and four freshmen, is in for a challenge as it faces some of the nation’s toughest competition in this tournament. Seven of the nation’s top 10 teams — No. 1 UCLA, No. 2 Duke, No. 3 Arizona State, No. 4 USC, No. 7 Auburn, No. 8 Arizona and No. 9 California — are in the field against the Huskies.

The team is looking to improve from last year, which was the first year in UW history that the team missed the NCAA regional field. “Everyone is really looking forward to the season and seeing what we can do and winning some tournaments,” sophomore golfer Molly Boyle said.

The biggest challenge for the team this year will be their youth. While talented, this group, which has no upperclassmen, lacks the experience of other teams.

“We’re a young team,” coach Mary Lou Mulflur said. “We’re working really hard on gaining some experience. We expect to improve every time we go out there.”

Despite lack of experience, this year’s group has ability. Sophomores Molly Aronsson and Christina Yoon finished second and third on the 2007 team in scoring average. Aronsson tied for sixth place at the Nittany Lion Invitational in her debut. Yoon played in eight tournaments and was the UW’s top finisher in two of them.

Rounding out the sophomore class is Boyle, a walk-on and former high school student body president.

“[Being a walk-on] was an awesome experience,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot from all the teammates I’ve had. I wouldn’t change my choice.”

Freshman Karinn Dickenson has already made her impact felt. In the fall, she played in two tournaments, leading the team in the Stanford Intercollegiate. She finished the fall with the lowest Husky stroke average, and, along with Katie Saucier of Bainbridge Island, is one of only two Washingtonians on the team.

Last year, the Huskies finished 15th in the Wildcat Invitational. UW’s top individual finisher was Yoon, now a sophomore, who finished 41st overall.

Aronsson led the team with a 2-over 73, finishing the day tied for 19th overall.

[Reach reporter Zach Ruby at sports@thedaily.washington.edu.]