If there is one thing the Illinois women’s golf team has been consistent at this season, it’s being positive. As the Illini head to French Lick, Ind., to play the Big Ten Championship, the team is as positive as ever. The players have not let disappointing results take away from their attitudes, especially with only three days between tournaments to prepare.

Illinois has another formidable challenge ahead at the Donald Ross Course, which will use a par-72, 6,121-yard course format. Donald Ross is the name of the designer, and while only two players have seen the course before, the team is well aware of the unique difficulties it presents.

“The majority of approach shots are going to be uphill,” head coach Renee Slone said. “So, just get comfortable with the fact that you’re going to be clubbing up.”

Slone and assistant coach Jackie Szymoniak told the players that course designers have certain tendencies they need to expect. With Ross’ courses, players are faced with a variety of uneven surfaces. These range from hills with steep angles that will force awkward shots, to even larger undulated greens than what the team saw last weekend at Ohio State’s home course.

“Probably the big thing (last week) was short game in general,” Szymoniak said. “Out at Ohio State you have some of the thicker rough. Maybe some shots you’re having to hit high, soft shots. You kind of get a variety also needing some low ones too.”

Last week’s Lady Buckeye Invitational gave the team a good idea about the types of course features that are in store this weekend at French Lick. What makes courses like these so difficult for the team is the big angles and uneven lies that are difficult to replicate in practice.

“It’s a little hard here (and) pretty flat,” junior Ember Schuldt said. “(It is) just finding, here or there, the little holes that we do have, just making sure to take a couple balls and hit off of that.”

Thursday’s practice round was crucial to give the Illini a chance to eliminate as much of the unknown as possible before the tournament, which starts Friday and concludes Sunday. Confidence will come with familiarity, and with confidence comes success.

The team is also not putting an emphasis on dramatically changing anything this week. One of the main things Slone told the team was to stay committed to a game plan. She partly attributes not trusting the plan to why the team did not perform well at Ohio State. The Illini know that three days of practice is not a lot of time, so they’re looking for any type of positive to focus on. 

“I think the girls just need to find where it is that their strong points are and focus on that,” sophomore Samantha Postillion said. “And try to get that vibe in for French Lick.”

Alex can be reached at [email protected] and @AlexOrtiz2334.