Women's Golf's Teamwork, Confidence Has Team Soaring
June 21, 1999 | Women's Golf
January 27, 1999
LOS ANGELES - Two years ago, Andrea Gaston preached "teamwork" to the Women of Troy in her first year as the Associate Head Coach of the USC women's golf team. Then, with that fundamental base firmly in place, Gaston and USC Director of Golf Kurt Schuette shifted their focus last year to raising the level of confidence on the squad.
The results stemming from those efforts have been quite remarkable. Not only did the Women of Troy finish seventh at last year's NCAA Championships, but freshman Jennifer Rosales won the individual title in only her sixth collegiate tournament. Now, entering 1999's spring season, USC owns the lofty national ranking of No. 3.
It's no wonder that Gaston and Schuette will be focusing on the same things as they prepare for this year's spring season.
"For the past couple of years, our whole team has worked really well together," Gaston said. "They continue to show a strong desire and ambition to elevate their own games, as well as the team's overall performance."
USC's tournament results this past fall have proven this to be true.
The Women of Troy opened the campaign by winning the team title at the Dick McGuire Invitational and proceeded to finish third at the Bama Fall Preview, seventh at the Stanford Women's Intercollegiate and second at both the Rolex Match Play Championships and Golf World Invitational.
"Coming on the heels of our finish last spring, our fall season gave us a good opportunity to see what we are capable of doing this year if we continue to improve," Gaston said. "With added confidence and a more aggressive approach to their games, we are going to see our players shooting some even lower numbers."
Rosales, who is a native of the Philippines, led the Women of Troy at each of the outings, earning the No. 1 ranking in the MasterCard Collegiate Golf Rankings. She won the individual crown at the Golf World Invitational and was outstanding at the Rolex Match Play Championships, winning each of her matches (including a showdown with Duke's Jenny Chuasiriporn). Jennifer also finished second at the Dick McGuire Invitational, shooting a low round of 69.
"Jennifer is an incredibly gifted player," Gaston said. "After winning the NCAAs, she has continued to put up some low numbers. She has adjusted really well to being in the States, which has enabled her to fully concentrate on her game."
Rosales isn't the only reason that there is no shortage of optimism in Troy. Fellow sophomore Nicole Dalkas, who has already recorded two Top 10 finishes on her way to earning a No. 17 national ranking, is also capable of having an All-America season.
"With Nicole's experience, she has the ability to be one of the nation's Top 10 players," Gaston said. "She has been one of our most consistent players and has the most number of Top 10 finishes. She could be an All-America candidate this season."
Gaston also has the luxury of calling upon senior Johanna Josefsson, who has been USC's most consistent player over the past three years. In her collegiate career, Johanna has led the Women of Troy at eight tournaments, including last season's individual championship at UCLA's Pioneer Electronics Classic.
"What makes Johanna such a great player is her ability to fight back," Gaston said. "Even if she is not scoring her best, she realizes that a turnaround can happen at anytime. It won't be surprising to see her have a personal best in her final season with the Women of Troy."
Also returning is junior Linda Ishii, who had the lowest stroke average on the team two seasons ago.
" 'Lindy' is showing a lot of determination to make a contribution to this years team," Gaston said. "She is a very dedicated player who works tirelessly on her game. She's close to making a breakthrough this season, and is already starting to put up some good scores."
Another returnee competing for a spot on the five-woman travel squad will be junior Alison Czetli.
"Alison has been very dedicated to improving her game, and this fall has already made great strides in her ball striking," Gaston said. "More playing experience with her recent swing changes will certainly improve her confidence level and her consistency."
The only newcomer on the squad is Leila Chartrand, who will be a vital member of the team as a true freshman. She played in all four of USC's fall tournaments, posting a stroke average of 76.9 (third on the team). Leila finished 11th at the Golf World Invitational, shooting 74, 76 and 74 (224), among her two Top 25 finishes.
"Leila has already made an immediate impact on the team this season," Gaston said. "She is an incredibly focused and deliberate player, and her 'ready, aim, fire' approach makes her an exciting player to watch. She's got a great future playing for the Women of Troy."
