Friday, May 18
Stillwater, OK
All Day
University of Washington
vs
NCAA Championships
Photo by: Alika Jenner Photography
NCAA Q&A with Mary Lou Mulflur
May 17, 2018 | Women's Golf
The Huskies are in Stillwater, Okla., for the 2018 NCAA Championships starting Friday, May 18 at Karsten Creek Golf Course and head coach Mary Lou Mulflur chatting briefly about being back in the national championship and how the first couple of days have been in Oklahoma.
What is Karsten Creek Golf Course like?
It's a hard course. There's a lot of undulation both in the fairways and on the greens, the greens are big and you really have to be in the correct location. They are fast, you have to really think your way around. The team that is the most patient and the smartest and doesn't change their game plan is going to be successful. If you try to do too much that's where teams get hurt. It's tight, but it's not too tight, we're used to Sahalee. It's a championship golf course, it's hard but its fair, you have to play smart. I think the weather doesn't look like it will be much of a factor, maybe just wind so then you just have to be smarter. I asked [UW Men's Golf Coach] Alan [Murray] if he had familiarity with the course and , he said the team that wins, is the team that manages the issues the best. The greens are big and you're going to have some three-putts, but you just have to understand that that's okay. You can't take a hole off.
What did the team do between the Tallahassee Regional and heading to nationals?
Honestly, we only practiced once due to the US Open qualifier and classes but I think they are ready. I think they got some good rest and they've responded really well. I really do feel like they are ready to go. They feel good, we're excited to go out early tomorrow. There's a lot of real estate to cover. Just need to be smart and patient.
How helpful is it that your three juniors in the lineup have already been to the NCAAs?
Any time you've been through something, it's valuable. Being able to share that with the younger players as they are seeing the TV cameras everywhere and there's microphones and everything going on, just understanding that and putting it in perspective is so helpful. We just can't getting daunted by that. We're emphasizing how great of an opportunity this is. We had a nice little squirt gun fight just to keep things light. We're trying to just have fun. We can play with as much freedom and little attachment we'll be in a great place. We've done all we can do, it's up to them to go out and execute.
How do you feel returning to NCAAs?
The biggest thing is just the relief of getting back which is not easy. To be able to come back is really really a fantastic feeling. We're going to have a good week and we're going to have a fun week. Our motto two years ago was that we were going to have the most fun of anyone in the field and we did that so we're keeping that motto heading into this week and just really trying to just have fun and enjoy the moment. It's a special thing being at NCAAs and this is a great course, I'm really looking forward to seeing some great golf.
Sarah Rhee has finished in the top 10 in four of her last five events, how has she grown?
She's been unbelievable. She's grown so much not so much the physical more so the mental and emotional part and just competing at a high level. She's really turning that up right now and understanding what she's needing to do. I think she's in a really great place in her golf game and I'm excited to see her compete this week.
What is Karsten Creek Golf Course like?
It's a hard course. There's a lot of undulation both in the fairways and on the greens, the greens are big and you really have to be in the correct location. They are fast, you have to really think your way around. The team that is the most patient and the smartest and doesn't change their game plan is going to be successful. If you try to do too much that's where teams get hurt. It's tight, but it's not too tight, we're used to Sahalee. It's a championship golf course, it's hard but its fair, you have to play smart. I think the weather doesn't look like it will be much of a factor, maybe just wind so then you just have to be smarter. I asked [UW Men's Golf Coach] Alan [Murray] if he had familiarity with the course and , he said the team that wins, is the team that manages the issues the best. The greens are big and you're going to have some three-putts, but you just have to understand that that's okay. You can't take a hole off.
What did the team do between the Tallahassee Regional and heading to nationals?
Honestly, we only practiced once due to the US Open qualifier and classes but I think they are ready. I think they got some good rest and they've responded really well. I really do feel like they are ready to go. They feel good, we're excited to go out early tomorrow. There's a lot of real estate to cover. Just need to be smart and patient.
How helpful is it that your three juniors in the lineup have already been to the NCAAs?
Any time you've been through something, it's valuable. Being able to share that with the younger players as they are seeing the TV cameras everywhere and there's microphones and everything going on, just understanding that and putting it in perspective is so helpful. We just can't getting daunted by that. We're emphasizing how great of an opportunity this is. We had a nice little squirt gun fight just to keep things light. We're trying to just have fun. We can play with as much freedom and little attachment we'll be in a great place. We've done all we can do, it's up to them to go out and execute.
How do you feel returning to NCAAs?
The biggest thing is just the relief of getting back which is not easy. To be able to come back is really really a fantastic feeling. We're going to have a good week and we're going to have a fun week. Our motto two years ago was that we were going to have the most fun of anyone in the field and we did that so we're keeping that motto heading into this week and just really trying to just have fun and enjoy the moment. It's a special thing being at NCAAs and this is a great course, I'm really looking forward to seeing some great golf.
Sarah Rhee has finished in the top 10 in four of her last five events, how has she grown?
She's been unbelievable. She's grown so much not so much the physical more so the mental and emotional part and just competing at a high level. She's really turning that up right now and understanding what she's needing to do. I think she's in a really great place in her golf game and I'm excited to see her compete this week.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
Wednesday, July 08
Wednesday, July 08
Wednesday, June 25
Sunday, June 08
