WASHINGTON - The Georgetown University women's golf team began its spring season on March 6, traveling to play in a tournament in Nevada. Assistant coach John Cregan, a PGA Professional who has worked with the team the last two years, was able to make the trip and provided this recap of the start of the season.

"It was great getting back together with the team and Coach (Katie) Brophy for the Battle of Boulder Creek in Boulder City (just outside of Las Vegas), Nevada last week. Due to our crazy D.C. area weather, classes for the team members, and personal circumstances of my own, I wasn't able to spend the amount of time with the team that I wanted to in preparation for this tournament. I was really looking forward to finding out how much rust the team had entering the first event of the year.

"We arrived at Boulder Creek Golf Club on March 4 to get in a good day of practice. As we exited the van you could anticipate it being "one of those days." The wind was blowing a steady 25 to 30 miles per hour, with gusts hitting 50mph. We were told inside the clubhouse that many of the teams decided to forgo their practice rounds because of the conditions. Undaunted, we started our preparations for their practice round. I was so proud of their attitude. Golf is played outdoors in all kinds of weather.

"We headed out in two groups of three, me following our first group. Just watching the tee shots off the first, we knew that we were in for a day few of us had ever experienced. The wind was blowing off the right and tee shots were hooking 35 yards. (Boulder Creek is one of those desert courses that sits on the side of a hill with nothing around to block the wind.) Nonetheless, the team was busy assessing each hole, taking good notes and checking out pin positions for the tournament. Many times players were being "blown" off their shots or putts. It was a long, tough practice round, but the team persevered and played all 18 holes. I was extremely proud of them for that.

"The first round of the tournament was an early and cold one. Due to the lack of daylight this time of year in the desert and the fact that we were playing 36 holes that day, tournament organizers planned to have the event tee off in a 7:15am shotgun. The only saving grace is that they allowed all participants to ride in carts. Unusual for college golf, but with the golf course not conducive to walking and the daylight time constraints, it made perfect sense. If the team was nervous after a long competitive layoff, they didn't show it. They chatted with each other at breakfast and then went about their routines getting ready for their 36-hole day.

"I began my day on the first par three that the team was going to play and Coach Brophy just ahead on the next hole; a tough driving par-4. As is standard practice, we help the team with their yardages and talk to them about their options as they come thru these holes. When the last team member comes thru the hole, we move ahead to the next par-3 or hard hole and repeat the process throughout the round.

"After our morning 18 I was very encouraged. Our team captain, Jacquelyn Eleey shot a 1-under par 71, our starting freshman Ashley Fitzgibbons shot an even par 72 and the rest of the team broke 80. This put us solidly in second place behind the home team, UNLV. Our afternoon round, although "ok," wasn't what we were looking for. Christina Parsells shot a nice round of even par 72 but the rest of the team struggled and shot in the mid to high 70's. This kept us solidly in second place but with little chance of catching UNLV.

"The final round commenced the next day and we again played "ok," with Alexa Popowitz leading the way with a one under par 71. We wound up finishing the Battle of Boulder Creek in second place behind the home squad of UNLV.

"I saw a lot of good things from our first event of the season and a lot we need to work on to improve. I look forward to getting together with the team to address our weaknesses."