'It's anybody's game': Auburn women's golf prepares for NCAA Championship

'It's anybody's game': Auburn women's golf prepares for NCAA Championship'It's anybody's game': Auburn women's golf prepares for NCAA Championship
Shanna Lockwood/AU Athletics

AUBURN, Ala. – No outreach was required for Auburn women's golf coach Melissa Luellen to get a read on the course where the Tigers will compete for the national championship in Scottsdale, Arizona.

She's been there, played that.
 
Having coached at nearby Arizona State for 13 seasons, including leading the Sun Devils to the NCAA Championship in 2009, Luellen's knowledge of the Raptor course at Grayhawk Golf Club could be an advantage for Auburn.
 
"I've seen a ton of competitive golf on the course," said Luellen, completing her sixth season at Auburn. "The fact that I know where to hit it, the tendencies on holes, where to chip from, where the fall-offs are. The course is not that hard to get an understanding of. If they hit the ball to the right tier, they're going to have a ton of opportunities for birdies."
 
Before the 72-hole stroke play portion of the tournament begins on Friday, the golfers will play a practice round.
 
"That's when the coaches have our biggest day, getting them prepared for the tournament with good course strategy," Luellen said.
 
After that, it will be up to the competitors.
 
"She's told us there are a lot of intimidating tee shots and a few bunkers all around the green, but I think once we get to play it, we'll have a better feel," senior Kaleigh Telfer said.
 
After four rounds of stroke play, the top eight teams will advance to match play. Under Luellen, Auburn has advanced to NCAAs for the third consecutive tournament. In 2019, the most recent event, the Tigers made it to match play, ultimately reaching the semifinals.
 
"We're going to try and win every single day," senior Mychael O'Berry said. "Start off strong is a big focus we have. If we play our best every single day, we'll get in there."
 
Four of Auburn's six-member lineup contributed to the Final Four run in 2019, while newcomers sophomore Megan Schofill and freshman Anna Foster will be making their NCAA Championship debuts.
 
"I'm delighted that I got the opportunity to play in Kentucky in the final round and to show them I'm ready to play NCAAs as well," said Foster, who shot a 73 in what Luellen called at "magical performance" at the Louisville Regional.
 
"We've worked really hard all season for this," Schofill said. "We're capable of playing some really good golf so that's what it's going to take every day."
  Ticket punched: Auburn finished T-4 at the Louisville Regional to advance to the NCAA Championship 
Telfer helped the Tigers punch their ticket to NCAAs with her 18-foot eagle putt on the final regional hole.
 
"Everyone was supporting from everywhere," said Telfer, who heard from family and friends in her native South Africa. "It was nice to get some support from back home, and obviously from my team and everyone here."
 

They've won the Southeastern Conference championship. They've come from behind in dramatic fashion at regionals to earn this opportunity in the desert. Now, Auburn hopes to bring home the shiniest trophy of them all.
 
"We just need to give ourselves a chance on the first day," Telfer said. "We made it in match play at SECs and if we have the same mindset going out there and believing we can do it, I think we've got it."
 
"We made it, so now it's a brand new tournament," said fifth-year player Elena Hualde Zuniga. "I'm super excited. Do what we know. We know how to play this game so just being patient, and we'll get it."
 
"I just want them to play very assertive, aggressive golf," Luellen said. "I feel like it's going to be set up for scoring. Let's go make some birdies. If we can get to match play, it's anybody's game, including us."
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Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer