Golf teams finish near the top in Florida

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Jill Gomric, junior golfer

The men's team, led by Andy Barnes and David Bates, placed sixth among the nation's top match play teams in a tournament which included a 3-2 match win over the rival Arizona State Sun Devils.

This was also a weekend for breakout performances, said men's head coach Rick LaRose.

"It was an all-around good experience," he said. "There were a lot of great performances out there. (Freshman) Robbie Anderson had to come from a few holes back late in the match to beat ASU."

Although placing sixth might have been a bit of a letdown, LaRose remains confident that the best is yet to come.

"Sure, after winning this tournament two years ago, we would've liked to do it again," LaRose said. "But the season is definitely on the upswing."

For the women, the weekend saw some improbable individual performances.

The defending Rolex team match play champions placed an impressive third in a tournament that saw such great players as Jenny Chuasiriporn of Duke, who became the only female amateur to ever make it to the playoffs of a professional tournament when she lost to See-Ri Pak earlier this year.

"They were the best team out there," LaRose said of the Blue Devils. "Jenna Daniels and Krissie Register both played incredibly well."

A 5-0 shutout of Furman University in the first round set the stage before a 4-1 loss to Southern Cal in the semifinals put them into the losers bracket. However, a 4-1 win over the Louisiana State Tigers lessened the sting and gave the UA women a third place finish.

The highlight of the weekend was the play of junior Jill Gomric, who could hardly see out of her left eye after an earlier accident left it swollen.

"She played great out there," LaRose said. "We didn't know if she was up to it, but she was great."

An early season tournament does not make a season, but the Wildcats seem to have gotten off on the right foot.

"We're improving every day, getting better all the time," LaRose said. "And for now, that's all anyone can ask."

Ryan Finley can be reached via e-mail at Ryan.Finley@wildcat.arizona.edu.