EVENT: Web.com Intercollegiate
SCHEDULE: Monday, April 3 (36 holes) – Tuesday, April 4
LOCATION: Marsh Landing Country Club, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
COURSE FORMAT: Par 72, 5,967 yards
LIVE SCORING: Golfstat.com
TWITTER UPDATES: @USFWGolf
TEE TIMES
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, MARCH 31, 2017 – USF women's golf continues its preparation for the American Athletic Conference Championship at the Web.com Intercollegiate.
Action at Jacksonville's two-day event begins with 36 holes Monday at Marsh Landing Country Club (par 72, 5,967 yards). This is the first of two tournaments before the Bulls tee off at the conference championship April 16-18 at Hammock Beach Golf & Resort Spa in Palm Coast, Fla.
USF collected its fourth top-10 finish of the season the last time out at the SunTrust Gator Invitational on March 12. Following the Web.com Intercollegiate, head coach Tiffany Prats' Bulls wrap up the regular season at the Hoya Invitational April 9-10 in Beallsville, Md.
The Lineup
Maria “Nani” Merchan moves up to the top spot in the lineup after putting together her best performance of the season at the Bulls' last event. The sophomore from Caracas, Venezuela carded a 73 in the final round of the SunTrust Gator Invitational, jumping up 11 spots to a tie for 27th place among 78 competitors.
Nicole Autrique will tee off from the second spot in the lineup and seeks her third top-10 finish of the season. The senior from Mexico City leads the Bulls with a 74.2 scoring average and collected consecutive top-10 finishes prior to the Gator Invitational.
Maria Rodriguez remains in the third spot and has been dependable all season as one of three Bulls to play in all 22 rounds. The junior from Cali, Colombia ranks second on the team with two top-25 finishes.
Ashley Burke also has competed in all 22 rounds this season and she's shooting for her first top-25 finish of the season. The senior from Boynton Beach tied for fifth at the Web.com Intercollegiate in 2015 at 3-under.
Mariale Merchan worked her way back into the lineup after a highly competitive qualifying process. The freshman from Venezuela has participated in four tournaments so far this season.
Senior Taylor Moody (Plantation, Fla.) will participate as an individual in her fifth event of the season.
Quotables
Head coach Tiffany Prats on the Bulls' match play preparation heading into the next event:
“I think the girls are playing a little bit better. We changed our practice a little bit and tried to make it a little bit more competitive when we're at home, which I think has helped… We've done things to help them become better teammates and have each other's backs a little bit. I think in the postseason, that's going to be very important. If we can get to conference and play really well, that's going to be key for them to have confidence in each other.”
Prats on the Web.com Intercollegiate:
“The golf course is great and it sets up well for our team. Taylor has an eye for it, so playing as an individual, she's probably going to do very well. Maria loves the golf course and the same with Nicole and Ashley. They've all been excited to play it. It plays a little shorter, so I think working on our wedges has really been important.”
Prats on keys to success during a 36-hole day on the course like Monday:
“You've got to be able to unfocus for a few minutes and when you're over the shot, get in the zone again. You've got to have some cue, it could be putting on your glove and doing the Velcro. When you hear that sound, then you're back in the zone. You also have to be able to zone out a little bit, so you don't get overly stressed. You also have to stay hydrated and eat. I think the biggest key out there is 23, 24 holes in, are you maintaining? Have you been eating? Is your nutrition dropping? If you haven't been eating correctly, your focus and everything starts to go.”
Prats on Mariale Merchan's return to the lineup:
“We had qualifying and Mariale beat Taylor by 1, so Mariale is in the lineup this week. Mariale and Taylor have had a pretty good battle all semester, and it has probably made them both better players.”
The Field
Host Jacksonville, Campbell, Central Arkansas, Charleston Southern, Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Delaware, East Tennessee State, Florida International, Georgia State, James Madison, North Florida, North Texas, Sam Houston State and Texas State.
Notables
- This marks the third straight year USF is participating in the Web.com Intercollegiate. The Bulls placed 10th last spring and ninth in 2015.
- USF has posted top-10 finishes in four of eight events so far this season. The Bulls have put together three top-10 performances in five tournaments this spring.
