Hello Illini fans!
Somehow, we have already reached the end of our fall season… and what a successful end it was! We were lucky enough to return to a tournament we participated in last year, the Cardinal Cup in Louisville, Ky. and play in a tournament that was a first for the Illini, Trinity Forest Invitational in Dallas, Texas.
After successfully hosting our event at Medinah, we were confident in our ability to score and determined to make the week before Louisville a time for productive preparation. Knowing the course would be playing tough with a forecast of some high winds, we used our practice round to make individual strategies and develop our own personal commitments for the tournament. We were pleasantly surprised by an indoor trick-or-treat station set up in the clubhouse before the practice round, putting us in the Halloween spirit with some sweet treats.
On the first day in Louisville, we were met with very difficult conditions, but in the face of 30-35 mph winds we stayed patient, resilient, and energized. After two long rounds, we sat on top of the leaderboard by 10 strokes, finishing the second round on Sunday after play was suspended on Saturday due to darkness. Our very own Tristyn Nowlin was at the top of the tournament individually. The last day of the tournament was cold, but calm and we took full advantage of the opportunities to score. Finishing the day at five under par, it was more than enough to get the win as we stayed at the top of the leaderboard by 19 shots. Tristyn (Nowlin) continued her success from the previous day and earned her first individual victory of her career with Bing (Singhsumalee) finishing runner-up, a personal best for her as well. Safe to say it was a happy bus ride back to Champaign.
Spirits were high coming off our second victory of the season. We had just five days back on campus before we departed for Dallas. After lots of recovery, rest, and preparation for what we knew was to come in Texas, we ventured to a new tournament and climate! Driving through downtown Dallas was quite a site and we were lucky enough to have a view of the city skyline from our hotel rooms! Although the course layout was strikingly different from Louisville, it was still just as challenging and beautiful. In fact, it just recently hosted a PGA Tour event this past summer. We were met with new challenges and more opportunities to hit shots that we do not usually get to play.
As we discovered in our practice round, this course was a real test of our creativity and decision-making. Game plan in hand, we finished the day atop the leaderboard yet again by separating ourselves from the field in the windy second round, staying positive and patient in the difficult conditions. Confident in our ability to close out tournaments strong, we went into the last day of the season feeling grateful for what we had learned so far and ready to enjoy the moments as they came. Supported by Illini fans, far and away, our last round of the season proved to be just what we needed as we earned our second victory in a row by nine shots. The Illini finished second and third individually with Bing earning her second runner up performance of the season and Crystal (Wang) finishing with another top three finish. Best of all, we earned our third team win of the season.
As endings go, we could not have asked for a better one to our fall season! Entering the offseason, we are reflecting on the success of the fall and are more determined than ever to work hard this winter to best prepare for the spring season.
Go Illini!
Katie Hallinan
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