UNLV women’s golf reloads for new run

UNLV women's golf coach Amy Bush is facing a rebuilding season, and she couldn't be more excited.

Though the second-year coach lost several key players to graduation in the spring, she has reloaded her roster and expects the Rebels to be competitive as they begin their fall season Sept. 12 at the Ptarmigan Ram Fall Classic in Fort Collins, Colo.

Therese Koelbaek, one of the top golfers in UNLV history, finished her career in the spring, but Bush is predicting another strong season.

"We have a lot of new faces," said Bush, who has brought in five new golfers. "But I'm excited about this team. They played a lot over the summer. They worked hard, and they're ready."

Though Koelbaek's absence will leave a big hole in the lineup, Bush said a precedent has been set.

"Therese left a great legacy here," the coach said. "But our new athletes want to break her records. And I'm excited that we have more depth."

The Rebels qualified for regional postseason play for the ninth consecutive time last year, and Bush sees no reason why her young squad can't get there again. She knows her players will need time to develop, but they're already capable of achieving Bush's most basic goal.

"We want to get to regionals again," she said. "Anything after that is just going to be a pleasant surprise."

Bush returns only two players. Senior Ellis Keenan, who finished last season with a 77.38 per-round average and placed fifth in the Mountain West Conference championships, should be among her top golfers.

"Ellis is ready to go, and she tells me she wants to lead the younger athletes," Bush said.

Junior Katerina Prorokova (78.58 average in 2010-11) is the squad's other returner. She also appears ready to help pace the team after a strong summer of training.

Top newcomers include Dana Finkelstein, a Chandler, Ariz., native, and Marguerite Swearingen of Livermore, Calif.

"They had wonderful summers," Bush said. "These are golfers to keep your eye on their entire careers."

Bush also expects the addition of assistant coach Erin Andrews to boost her squad's performance.

"Erin played (college golf) until 2006, so she really is fresh out of it," Bush said. "She knows what they're going through. She's a great player, and she also has local knowledge."

The Rebels will play five matches in the fall, hosting the three-day Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown at Boulder Creek Golf Club beginning Oct. 4. The season will include stops at the New Mexico Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational in Albuquerque (Sept. 25 and 26), the Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational in Seattle (Oct. 3 to 5) and the Betsy Rawls Invitational in Austin, Texas (Oct. 31 to Nov. 2).

Bush said fall play will help her younger golfers get a feel for competition at the next level.

"We have a pretty good schedule," she said. "The younger players will get some experience so they'll be ready to go in the spring."

But to Bush, the coming year is mostly about building a foundation for several seasons to come.

"Hopefully I will be pleasantly surprised this season," she said. "But we're focused on our long-term goals."