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Golfers fall victim to cold in Columbus

The Michigan women's golf team found itself in familiar surroundings this weekend at the Lady Buckeye Invitational in Columbus.

The Wolverines' home course has yet to host a practice session due to the lingering effects of the winter on the greens.

On a similar note, last weekend's scheduled 54-hole event was shortened to 36 due to poor weather conditions that have confounded Michigan throughout its spring season.

Michigan finished fifth in the event but cited the frosty temperatures and snow as factors in a disappointing effort.

"The conditions we played in were really tough," Michigan's Sharon Park said. "It took a lot of physical strain on us -- we could have played a lot better."

Arizona captured the meet title with a final score of 629. Indiana, Ohio State and Michigan State composed the top four.

The competitors at the tournament played 28 to 30 holes before play was suspended Saturday. The missed holes were supposed to be made up on Sunday, but three morning delays forced the event to conclude just six to eight holes later, depending on the number played by each individual the previous afternoon.

The conditions were not only mentally straining, but the already long 5,906-yard course played longer.

"We didn't get up and down and we didn't chip and putt well to save our pars," Michigan coach Kathy Teichert said. "Mentally we weren't into it."

Park shot an 85-80 -- 165, which was good for a 14th-place tie. She was followed by senior captain Shannon McDonald, who tied for 18th place with a 79-87 -- 166. Rounding out the Wolverines' scores were junior Wendy Westfall (85-87 -- 172) in a tie for 33rd, freshmen Sarah Lindholm (86-87 -- 173, tie for 36th) and Katy Loy (89-85 -- 174, tie for 41st) and sophomore Laura Tzakis (93-94--187, tie for 79th).

Indiana's Erika Wicoff earned medalist honors in firing rounds of 76 and 75.

The Wolverines entered the weekend with hopes of qualifying for their first-ever NCAA regional tournament birth.

But concerning their chances, it is likely that the two selection committee members in attendance will take under advisement the extenuating circumstances involving playing conditions.

"What hurt us was that Michigan State finished five strokes ahead of us," Michigan coach Kathy Teichert said. "But (the selection committee members) were there and they knew about the weather. It's hard to get into a good frame under the circumstances."

Michigan will have two more chances this season to show its strength: at the Purdue Invitational next weekend and at the Big Ten conference championship April 26-28.