LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Championship season has arrived, and the Little Rock women's golf team is set for another run at the Ohio Valley Conference Championship, scheduled for April 19-21 at Dalton Golf and Country Club in Dalton, Georgia.
The Trojans enter the weekend with a strong history in the event, having won the OVC Championship two years ago and finishing as the runner-up last season. Picked to finish No. 2 in the preseason poll, Little Rock has positioned itself all year for another title push.
"This is what we've been preparing for all year," junior
Eleonore Aernouts said. "We've practiced a lot over the last two weeks, and I think we're ready. I really believe we can win the tournament, and that's our goal going in."
The 54-hole championship will be contested at Dalton Golf and Country Club, a historic, tree-lined course that dates back to 1912 and was redesigned in 2020 by architect Bill Bergin. It marks the first time the OVC Championship will be held at the venue, placing an added emphasis on preparation and course management.
"I don't know the course that well yet, so the practice round will be really important," Aernouts said. "I try to learn as much as I can from that -especially where to place my shots and how to manage the course for the tournament."
The Trojans have leaned into preparation leading up to the event, including studying the course layout ahead of arrival.
"I've watched a little bit on YouTube, but there's not a lot out there," Aernouts said. "I also look at it on Google Maps just to get a sense of the layout before we get there."
With a lineup that has shown flashes of strong play throughout the season, consistency will be key in a championship setting.
"I think it comes down to staying consistent and not making small mistakes, especially around the greens," Aernouts said. "We've been working a lot on putting, because that's where we can really improve. If we take care of that, I think we'll be in a good position."
Head coach
Jenna Birch believes the Trojans are prepared to meet the moment.
"We've put ourselves in position all year to compete for this," Birch said. "This group understands what it takes to win at this level, and we've focused on sharpening the details -especially consistency and execution. If we play our game, we like where we stand."
Little Rock's experience in the event could prove to be a deciding factor, particularly with players such as Aernouts, who was the OVC Golfer of the Month for March, who have competed on this stage before.
"There's definitely pressure, especially because we know what's at stake if we want to make regionals," Aernouts said. "But having been through it before helps. I know what to expect, so I can stay calm on the course and hopefully help the team in that way."
Nine teams will compete for the conference title, with a practice round scheduled for Saturday before the tournament tees off Sunday morning at 8 a.m. ET. With a championship pedigree and a confident group, the Trojans head to Dalton looking to add another OVC title to their resume.
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For the latest information on Little Rock Women's Golf, check out LRTrojans.com. You can also follow the team on social media at @LittleRockWGOLF on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
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