Erica Rivard: Bucking the Broncos!
As we headed off from our adventures at the Outlet mall, we were completely immersed within the snow-top mountains and with about an hour to go to our final destination - Rio Verde - the snow suddenly stopped. That was when we knew it was going to be a great week of the warm desert weather.
Monday was our day off but with our head-to-head match against Western Michigan the next day we knew we couldn't back down. We practiced for six hours from 9:00-3:00 and ended our practice time with a heated putting match on the Tonto Verde putting course.
It was Michelle and Nam versus Tasha and I and Emily who came in on the fifth hole was thrown into the role of mediator and commentator of the match. After nine holes, we were tied and we went into sudden death on the treacherous 18th hole complete with water hazards and bunkers. Tasha, Michelle and I were in good position but unfortunately Nam had some difficulty, and went into the green side bunker. Now even though we are college golfers we have never been required to putt out of the bunker. Let's just say Nam knows how to do it now! Tasha and I were the victors of the International Match!
After the match we had coach waiting for us in the pool area and took advantage of the warm Arizona weather and sat out to try and even out a few golf tan lines.
Tuesday was the big day. It was our head-to-head match against Western Michigan. We would play in Ryder Cup format meaning that if a person won their match that was a point for their team. We were all very excited waking up that morning and ready to take them down! We practiced in the morning to tune up our game and smooth out any last bumps. After a hearty lunch back at are rental house, we packed up again and headed to the course with our game faces on.
We started off with a bang by Nam and I winning our first hole, Emily chipped in on the second hole to halve the hole and went on to win her third hole. It was an intense match that both players and coaches alike were very into. On the 18th hole, Nam sunk a 15-foot putt to win her match outright and earn a point for Toledo. Emily halved her match so we were sitting at 1 ½ for Toledo and ½ for Western Michigan. Tasha unfortunately lost her match, Michelle halved hers and I won my match 2-up. The final score was Toledo 3, Western Michigan 2. We had won the head-to-head! It was a great confidence boost for our tournament on the weekend at Rio Verde.
Check in later to see how we did at the Rio Verde Invitational. Until next week!
Erica Rivard is a senior from Tecumseh, ONT and is majoring in physical education.
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