Sofie Aagaard is expert at making connections – anybody concerned with the Worldwide crew on the 2020 Palmer Cup can inform you that.
It was Aagaard, then on the helm of Cal Poly’s girls’s program, who painstakingly contacted relations for every of 24 gamers on the Worldwide squad in search of a private message for a compilation video. When the video was performed through the occasion, which had been moved again months from its standard summer time slot to just some days earlier than Christmas, there weren’t many dry eyes within the room. The intent, stated Aagaard, was to indicate that “all of us have an analogous background, in a method or one other.”
Later that week, the Internationals received the crew competitors in a rout.
“I believe that Palmer Cup, I get chills simply occupied with it,” she stated. “We found out the best way to join these gamers, throughout gender, throughout ages, throughout cultures, nations.”
That is notably related now that Aagaard has simply taken up the reins at Washington State, the place a various squad consists of gamers from the West Coast in addition to Australia, Denmark, Thailand and China. Take into account Aagaard, coming off seven years at Cal Poly, one of many distinctive new hires of the summer time. Barely a month into the autumn season, there’s a lot relationship constructing occurring in Pullman.
Aagaard, nevertheless, is fast to level out that there’s nonetheless a number of familiarity among the many program. Former coach Kelli Kamimura, a good friend of Aagaard’s, stays on campus working for Athletics HR. Her workplace is one ground above Aagaard’s. Affiliate head coach Emma White stays and Aagaard has already introduced in a sports activities psychologist who had beforehand labored with the crew.
“I believe the transition was straightforward due to all these components,” Aagaard stated, “…as a result of we converse comparable language. I believe it was extra of a time simply to comprehend we’re on this collectively.”
Golfweek Pink Sky Basic: Dwell scoring
Already, the Cougars are getting enterprise achieved. Final week they tied for fourth of their season opener, the Badger Invitational in Wisconsin. Three Cougars – Darcy Habgood, Jinyu Wu and Madelyn Gamble – landed inside the highest 20 individually. Aagaard spent the week determining what’s productive for her gamers heading in the right direction, what sort of conversations to have with them and the place they want assist.
“In Madison, I believe we had nice composure heading in the right direction, there was excellent vitality heading in the right direction,” Aagaard stated. “Executing pictures from tee to inexperienced was actually good. The place we lacked a bit of bit was in our chipping, our quick sport. That would enhance, once we miss the inexperienced. However the ballstriking generally was actually nice. I favored their efficiency with their lengthy golf equipment, just like the drivers and the 3-woods, with the ability to go for par 5s.”
Now it’s time to take that ballstriking to elevation. Aagaard’s gamers had been prepping her for Pink Sky Golf Membership in Wolcott, Colorado, having completed fourth at this occasion a yr in the past. They gushed to their new coach in regards to the views that Pink Sky would convey.
Aagaard had her gamers targeted on information assortment early within the week. She reminded them the ball would fly otherwise right here, at greater than 8,000 above sea degree. Aagaard, who performed professionally after her faculty profession at Cal, competed in Colorado and has aggressive expertise herself at elevation.
For groups coming from sea degree, success at Pink Sky requires fairly a little bit of thought – and math. A yr in the past, East Tennessee State gamers picked their numbers, dedicated to them and took residence a one-shot victory over Denver. The Buccaneers return this yr for a shot at a title protection.
The Golfweek Pink Sky Basic has been performed at Pink Sky’s Fazio Course yearly since 2010, besides when the occasion was canceled within the fall of 2020 because of COVID-19. The match debuted in 2009 at Primm Valley Golf Membership in Las Vegas. Pepperdine has appeared within the area yearly, successful the title in 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014. 4 different occasions, the Waves completed with at the least a share of second place.
“We love enjoying Pink Sky each Fall,” Pepperdine head coach Laurie Gibbs stated. “The match is firstclass on a gorgeous course. Golfweek and the employees at Pink Sky are great hosts. We get pleasure from enjoying groups from across the nation in excellent climate.”
This yr’s 20-team area options Washington State and Colorado from the Pac-12. The 54-hole occasion takes place Sept. 26-28 with a single spherical every day.
Previous champions
2009 – Pepperdine
2010 – Virginia
2011 – Oklahoma
2012 – Pepperdine
2013 – Pepperdine
2014 – Pepperdine
2015 – San Diego State
2016 – San Diego State
2017 – Denver
2018 – UCLA
2019 – Ole Miss
2020 – No Event
2021 – East Tennessee State
