The Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s golf team, the Redhawks, recently won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for the eighth consecutive year, securing their spot in the Division III national championship in May. As a reward for winning the conference, the team traveled to the Golfweek October Classic in Miramar Beach, Florida, one of the last tournaments on their schedule before nationals.
During the tournament, senior Kallie Lux took a risky shot on the 18th hole, ditching her shoes and socks to hit the ball out of a pond. Although the shot didn’t initially succeed, Lux repositioned and ultimately made a brilliant shot, earning a bogey on the hole. Coach Andrea Wieland encouraged Lux to take the risk, showcasing the team’s willingness to try new things and think outside the box.
Wisconsin-Whitewater faced tough competition at the Golfweek October Classic, with seven of the top-10 teams in the country participating. Despite struggling on the last hole during the opening round, Wieland emphasized the importance of learning from their mistakes and striving to improve each day. The tournament provided a valuable opportunity for the team to gauge their performance against top teams in the country.
The Redhawks’ conference includes eight schools from Wisconsin, making it challenging to practice golf in the winter and early spring months. To prepare for the national championship, the team plans to travel to California for additional tournaments and engage in indoor practices during the offseason. Wieland is focused on maintaining her team’s motivation and drive to succeed, even with a conference title and national championship berth already secured.
In her first year as head coach, Wieland witnessed the negative impact of not winning the conference title on her players’ morale. Since then, the team has remained dedicated and focused on their goals, avoiding complacency and staying motivated throughout the season. Wieland credits the team’s success to their willingness to try new strategies, play aggressively, and embrace new challenges.
Looking ahead to the national championship, Wisconsin-Whitewater is committed to building upon their success and striving for victory. Wieland stresses the importance of pushing beyond comfort zones, learning from experiences, and remaining prepared for future competitions. Despite the uncertainties and challenges ahead, the Redhawks are determined to continue improving and ultimately achieve their ultimate goal of winning the national championship.
