On West Coast for first time, NAIA women's championship tees off today at Lake San Marcos

By: Marc Figueroa - Staff Writer

San Marcos–The conversation was one of those "wouldn't it be great if" dialogues, the pie-in-the-sky payoff being a college golf national championship in North County.

The chat between Fred Hanover, the Cal State San Marcos golf coach, and local pro Mike Hannon happened nearly five years ago. This morning, the NAIA Women's Golf National Championships will tee off at Lake San Marcos Country Club, where 120 players from across the country will fight for the national title over the next four days.

"It's an amazing feeling to think that nationals is actually here," said Cougars senior Jennell French, the team's No. 1 player, during a practice round on Saturday. "It's exciting. It's my home course, and I get to play in my own backyard. I wouldn't want to play anywhere else."

And to think it all stemmed from two guys simply talking shop.

"It was simple as that," Hanover said.

Hannon, who's now the director of golf at Lake San Marcos, first met Hanover when he was the head pro at La Costa Resort and Spa in 2000. When he became the tournament sales manager for Pala Mesa Resort more than a year later, the two started talking about bringing the men's national tournament to Fallbrook.

Talks eventually escalated, and soon the San Diego International Sports Council got involved. But when Hannon left Pala Mesa in the summer of 2005, the conversation shifted -- literally across Highway 78.

Since Lake San Marcos is only 6,356 yards from the tips and not long enough to stage a collegiate men's event, the women's national tournament became a promising alternative. The NAIA, staging its national golf event on the West Coast for the first time, thought so too. And the rest, as the saying goes, is history.

"This is the biggest thing Lake San Marcos has ever done," said Hannon. "It's definitely a feather in the cap for us. This is the big leagues, and the members are all real excited."

The same can be said for the Cougars, who are hosting the biggest event of the season. Not bad for a program that has only been in existence since 1998.

It seems the timing couldn't have worked out better. The Cougars are coming off a victory in their regional tournament in which French beat teammate Ellyse Siu in a playoff to win the individual title. They're ranked seventh in the country and many contend this is the best women's team the school has ever assembled.

"They don't make excuses if they play poorly, they just go back to work," Hanover said. "When you have players that work hard every day to improve themselves, as a coach, you can't ask for anything more. These girls are winners."

Add the fact the Cougars are playing on their home course and it's easy to see why Cal State San Marcos is being mentioned with other top contenders, including two-time defending champion Oklahoma City University and Florida's Embry-Riddle. The two schools are ranked Nos. 1 and 2, respectively.

"This is a prime team right here," said French, an Oceanside High grad who will turn pro later this year and attempt to qualify for the developmental Futures Tour. "I don't think anything else can make it more perfect than it is right now. These girls are dedicated to this team, and you can see it in how they practice. I see it in each of their eyes."

Added teammate Carly Ludwig: "We're going to be tough to beat."

With a home game comes pressure though, and the Cougars got a dose of that reality back in February when they hosted the Cougar Invitational. Playing in a rain-shortened event, French won the individual title, but none of her teammates finished in the top 20 and the team limped home with a sixth-place finish.

"We all put too much pressure on ourselves," said Siu, a sophomore from Reno, Nev. "We all expected an outcome that didn't happen.

"We know this course like the back of our hand, but you can't go into something knowing the results. So no added pressure, although there always is when it's a national championship."

Oklahoma City, which has either won or placed second in five of the last six years, arrived Saturday to get acclimated to the conditions. Coach Sara Mobley sees two sides to hosting the national championship.

"Being comfortable for them is a huge advantage," said Mobley, last season's coach of the year. "They know the staff members, they know the greens. They've played it in the morning, they've played in the afternoon, they've played in the rain, they've played in the wind -- they know the elements.

"But with home court comes the parents, the administration, the media. They're in the spotlight."

-- Contact staff writer Marc Figueroa at marcfig@aol.com.
NAIA Women's Golf National Championships

When: Today-Friday

Where: Lake San Marcos Country Club

Who: 120 players are contending for the individual title, while 23 teams are competing for the team championship

Defending team champion: Oklahoma City University

Defending individual champion: Ashley Sholer (Oklahoma City)

Look at the locals

The Lady Cougars, who won the NAIA Region II title in April, are ranked seventh in the country. Here's a look at the team:

Jennell French, senior: The most successful golfer in the school's history, French has won three individual titles this season, including the regional championship in Palm Desert. The Oceanside High grad has won a school-record four times in her collegiate career, three more than any other Cougar on both the men's and women's teams.

Christina Austin, senior: One of the team's more consistent players, Austin finished in tie for 12th in the Grand Canyon Invitational back in the fall season. She finished in a tie for 25th in the Cal State Northridge tournament in April.

Kate Hansen, junior: Deemed the Cougars' comeback player this season, Hansen struggled with her game earlier in the season, often shooting in the 90s in team qualifiers. But the turnaround culminated with a win at the Cal State Northridge tournament back in April, when she bested a field of 39 golfers.

Carly Ludwig, junior: A transfer from Indiana University, Ludwig was the top Cougar in last year's national tournament, finishing in a tie for 19th. She finished just four shots back at last month's regionals.

Ellyse Siu, sophomore: Hailing from Reno, Nevada, Siu nearly won this year's regional tournament, but lost to French on the second playoff hole. Last season, she was the only freshman on the team to qualify for nationals.

-- Marc Figueroa

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