The Gators women’s golf team will look to carry over last week’s first-place finish at the Briar’s Creek Invitational, as they compete in the Bryan National Collegiate tournament this weekend in Greensboro, North Carolina.
As a result of last week’s performance, the Gators saw a slight increase in Golfweek’s top-25 rankings, rising from No. 25 to No. 21.
A win this weekend will not only result in another bump in the rankings, but would also give them their first back-to-back event wins since the 2012-13 season, when they claimed victories at the Betsy Rawls Invitational and the Florida Challenge.
Yet, despite their recent success, coach Emily Glaser has made sure the golfers don’t look too far down the road.
“We have to take each week and each tournament on a case-by-case basis and go out there [and] leave it all on the golf course,” Glaser said.
“You stick to the message and tell them our practices have been awesome, the chemistry of the team is very good. Just keep believing in what we’re working on.”
One player who has believed in the process is sophomore Karolina Vlckova.
The Czech Republic native has come on strong as of late, and has played a large role in the recent success of the team, finishing her last two tournaments in sixth and second place, respectively.
“I’m really pleased with her play,“ Glaser said. “She didn’t see exactly the results she was looking for last fall, but has kept working hard and that patience has paid off for her… she’s playing very consistent.”
While Vlckova will try and find herself among the tops in the leaderboard for a third-straight event, senior Camilla Hedberg will attempt to crack the top-25 for the first time in her last three outings.
Despite her recent shortcomings, there is reason for Hedberg to remain optimistic heading into this weekend.
This will be Hedberg’s final regular season event as a Gator, which should give her an added incentive to perform at a high level. Fortunately for her, the event comes at a course in which she has had previous success at.
During the same event last year, Hedberg had one of her best collegiate finishes, placing in a tie for third place with three other golfers.
According to Glaser, Hedberg is sure of her abilities as she heads into this weekend’s tournament.
“She needs to go out there with a good mindset and let her talent take over, because she’s certainly capable,” Glaser said. “She knows she can play well at this golf course.”
Regardless of the results from Hedberg and the team, they are peaking at the right time, and are confident in their abilities heading into the postseason.
“No matter what happens in Greensboro this weekend, we’re headed in the right direction.”
Follow Justen Rosenberg on Twitter @JustenRosenberg
Sophomore Karolina Vlckova high fives coach Emily Glaser during the final round of the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational on March 8.
