As the 2024 spring season tees off, Illinois women’s golf stands on the precipice of what could be its most triumphant season yet. Despite a disappointing fall, the Illini scratched out a top-10 finish in their final tournament of 2023. Under the skillful guidance of their veteran coaching staff, they are poised to stride significantly on the collegiate golf landscape. 

Senior Isabel Sy, a longtime standout, is entering her final season with the Illini. Her journey with the team showcases her dedication and resilience through consistent improvements in her game. Sy has steadily cut down on her stroke average in her four years at Illinois, dropping from 75.19 to 70.00 strokes per round over her collegiate career, a feat that Sy credits to her course management and experience.

“Every time I play a tournament, I try to learn something from it,” Sy explained. “All that experience compiling has helped me learn how to manage my own game and how to adjust my game towards each course that we play.”

Sy was named the Big Ten Conference Women’s Golfer of the Week for the final week of October. Sy, with her leadership skills and competitive spirit, has pivotally shaped the team’s dynamics, establishing herself as an indispensable asset on and off the course. As she prepares for her last collegiate rounds, expectations are high for her to leave a lasting legacy. 

Junior Lexanne Halama is another crucial player to watch this season. Halama showed regression last year, with her stroke average rising from 76.58 to 80.44 strokes in just one season. However, her strategic approach and ability to handle pressure point to a potential bounce-back spring for the Tennessee native. 

Since 2006, head coach Renee Slone, a former LPGA Tour player and 1993 National College Player of the Year, has revolutionized Illinois women’s golf. Her tenure, which includes the team’s first NCAA championship appearance and ninth-place finish in 2019, led to her winning the 2018-19 Big Ten Coach of the Year. Following a Big Ten championship in 2023, the message for 2024 is simple: repeat. 

“We talked as a team before leaving campus,” Sy said. “Our goal is to win the Big Ten again. Competing in nationals is our biggest goal in mind … we just have to take it one day at a time and build on everything that we do.”

The Illini’s packed spring schedule features high-profile tournaments that will test their mettle against some of the best teams in the nation. These tournaments offer opportunities for the team to showcase their skills and play a crucial role in building their confidence and experience. A strong showing in these events could boost their rankings significantly, setting them up for future success.

Tournaments like the Nexus Collegiate and the ICON Invitational will give the Illinois faithful an outlook on what to expect in the spring. Illinois desperately needs a confidence booster to open 2024, and these two tournaments could provide the juice it needs to compete at a high level. 

As the season progresses, the Illinois women’s golf team’s blend of experience, talent and strong coaching will be its greatest asset. As the veterans of the bunch, Sy and Halama are set to lead the team, not only with their performances but also with their ability to inspire and motivate their teammates. 

The Illini are back in action on Feb. 12 at the Nexus Collegiate, played at Albany Golf Club in New Providence in the Bahamas.

@Jordan_Goodhart 

[email protected]