Arizona women golfers start defense of crown

Arizona Daily Wildcat UA sophomore Marisa Baena taps in a putt at the Wildcats' home course at the Raven Golf Club at Sabino Springs. Arizona hosts the NCAA West Regional Tournament at Randolph Park North Golf Course starting tomorrow.

Fresh off their thrilling come-from-behind victory at last month's Pacific 10 Championships, the Wildcats hope to have a repeat performance this week before traveling to the national tourney in Ohio in two weeks.

Arizona assistant coach Tom Brill said that the team is putting the conference title behind them, and preparing for the last two legs of the season.

"It's fun, but it's over," Brill said of the Pac-10 title. "We played very well and we need to do it again this week. Our girls are capable of playing this way every time out."

Twenty teams and 102 players are entered in the event, and the Wildcats find themselves seeded second in the Far West Region behind the nation's No. 1 team, San Jose State.

Five of the top 10 teams in the nation have been invited and none of the schools are ranked lower than 39th in the latest Rolex Collegiate Rankings.

Although the regionals are an important stepping stone, Brill said that the team is focused on the national tournament.

"The ultimate deal is in Columbus (Ohio)," Brill said. "We have a national championship to defend."

In the individual race, the title should come down to a battle between six of the nation's top eight players.

Arizona'a No. 1 ranked Marisa Baena, Arizona State's Kellee Booth, Texas' Heather Bowie and Mhairi McKay should compete for top individual honors.

Sophie Sandolo of UCLA and Janice Moodie of San Jose State will also give chase for the title.

Randolph North has become familiar to Arizona, it being their practice course.

"We know the course real well by now," Brill said. "We've got a good feel for the greens and all are systems are go."

The course is known for its tree-lined fairways and firm greens. Since the LPGA's Welch's/Circle K Championships in March the course has been kept in great shape.

Brill said that the tournament will definitely come down to who plays the best for all three days.

"This is a very straightforward course that is awfully well marked," Brill said. "You can score well if you just play solid and keep the ball in play."

The 54-hole tournament runs Thursday through Saturday with 18 holes of play each day.

Arizona is paired with Stanford and San Jose State in the first round.