UNLV women’s golf tees off with veteran look, new coach

Finally, after four months off, it's back to work for UNLV's women's golf team.

As the Rebels prepare to begin their spring season today at Valencia, Calif., in the 54-hole Bruin/Wave Invitational, they hope their veteran players can carry the team past the NCAA Regionals into the nationals in May. UNLV finished 16th in last year's West Regional.

"We're looking pretty good," coach Amy Bush said. "They're working hard and they're coming together as a team. We have an excellent chemistry and we're looking for a fast start."

Bush is in her first year as head coach after spending three years as Missy Ringler's assistant. She said she is excited about how the leadership of seniors Therese Koelbaek and Alejandra Guacaneme has benefited the team. Koeblaek is No. 13 in the Golfstat rankings.

"Therese is so into helping the younger players," Bush said. "She's like having an assistant coach on the course."

Among Bush's concerns are the Rebels' short game, which faltered during the fall, and the injury absence of junior Kristen Schelling, their No. 3 player.

"We've been working on trying to get more consistent with our short game from 60 yards in," Bush said. "That's an area where we left a lot of shots out on the course during the fall."

Schelling has a hip injury, and Bush hopes to have her back for the UNLV Spring Invitational from March 7 to 9 at Boulder Creek Golf Club.

Freshman Katerina Prorokova moves into Schelling's spot, and junior Bethany Glassford and senior Mandi Incorvaia round out the starting five. Junior Stephanie Whatley will play as an individual.

The Rebels are scheduled for five tournaments through April 4 -- a lot of golf in a short span. But Bush believes there's enough quality and depth to get through it successfully.

"We've been playing a lot this month," she said. "We do a lot of competition in practice so with the amount of play we've had, we're really not too concerned."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter @stevecarprj.