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Throughout the month of September, Kayla Mortellaro from the University of Idaho women's golf team will write a weekly blog on her pre-season progress and return to campus.

 


Monday, September 27, 2010

 

Hello and welcome to Kayla Mortellaro’s final blog.  Last blog my team and I were preparing to play in the WSU Cougar Cup. The first round I struggled but pulled it together for the last two days to finish in a tie for first place, winning the scorecard playoff. I was able to help my team finish in fourth. Overall, it was a good tournament, we learned a lot, and were able to pin-point areas to continue to work on.

Our next tournament is October 5-7 at Tacoma Country Club hosted by the University of Washington. The action can be followed at www.golfstat.com and to read about the day’s events at www.govandals.com. Our final tournament of the fall season is hosted by UNLV October 25-27.

It has been nice having a week off from tournaments because I can actually go to class and try to catch-up on assignments and understanding the material. College golf is a lot of fun and we get to travel to some great places. My teammates have made my previous two years and this one so far, a lot of fun. We all get along well which makes trips and the numerous hours we spend together an enjoyable experience.

I look forward to what the rest of the fall season brings and working toward the start of the spring season. This concludes my installment of blogs, so I want to thank you for reading and following the University of Idaho women’s golf team.

-       - Kayla Mortellaro

 


Monday, September 20, 2010

 

Hello and welcome to the third installment of Kayla Mortellaro’s blog. Last week I was getting ready to compete in a tournament hosted by Colorado State. Individually, I went on to win the championship with rounds of 70, 67, 70. It’s always an exciting experience to win, but more importantly I am proud of how my golf game is progressing. Again, I have to thank the host families for providing a wonderful atmosphere for my team and myself.

This Monday through Wednesday we are playing at Palouse Ridge Golf Club hosted by Washington State University. You can follow the action at www.golfstat.com or www.govandals.com for a write-up each day.

The WSU Cougar Cup is an exciting tournament to play because it acts as a home tournament, being only eight miles away from Moscow, Idaho. Since golf is such a different sport, this tournament gives the opportunity for friends and family members to come watch us play. It is nice to have some fan support.

It has been a quick turn-around since we got home from Colorado State. My team and I have been busy practicing and catching-up on our school work. It can be a stressful time missing class, assignments, and feeling like you are falling behind. So, this week has been dedicated to diligently working toward each class’ assignments.

Once again, I encourage you to follow www.golfstat.com and stay tuned for next week’s blog.

-Kayla Mortellaro


Monday, September 13, 2010

Hello. Welcome to part two of Kayla Mortellaro’s blog from the University of Idaho women’s golf team. The golf team is in Fort Collins, Colo., for our first tournament of the year. We are playing Ptarmigan Golf and Country Club, hosted by Colorado State. As this is my third year playing this tournament, I always look forward to staying with wonderful host families. It is a great experience to meet people and a fun way to start the year, almost like a home away from home. I think this is a fun course to play and the weather is supposed to be nice for the two days we are here. You can follow the results by going to www.golfstat.com or our University of Idaho sports page at www.govandals.com.

Since my last blog, the team and I have just been preparing for this tournament with a week- long practice working on different elements of our games. To play in this tournament we are missing two days of actual school. So, we have had to talk with our professors and arrange the assignments we have missed. It can be stressful at times, but time-management is a skill that must be acquired to excel at both levels.

Once we get back to Moscow, Idaho, we will have a day off and then back to practice because our next event is Monday, Sept. 20- Wednesday, Sept. 22. This event is kind of like a home-event for us because it is hosted by Washington State University in Pullman, Wash. A fun fact is that Pullman is only 8 miles from Moscow.

These first two events are a great way to start off the year. I’m really excited to begin the college season and see where the year takes my team and me.

Thanks again for reading my blog. And remember to check out the results of the Lady Vandals.

Have a great day!

-Kayla Mortellaro

 


Monday, September 6, 2010

Hello. I am Kayla Mortellaro, a junior on the women’s golf team at the University of Idaho. I was born and raised in Phoenix, Ariz., so coming to Moscow, Idaho has been a huge weather and population adjustment for me. Though it has been an adjustment, I have come to enjoy the quaint feel the Vandal community embraces.

I chose the University of Idaho because I felt this was the best opportunity for me to grow as a player and person. As much as it is a different feel to be in such a small town, I really like that I don’t feel overwhelmed in a big city trying to stay on top of studies and golf.

My dad introduced me to the game of golf when I was 5-years-old. The game started out as an activity to do together and a way to be active, but has since grown into a passion that I hope to turn into my profession when I finish college.

This past weekend the coaches and team went to Worley, Idaho, which is about an hour north of Moscow for a fun golf outing. It was a chance to spend time away from campus to get to know one another better. This year our team is made up of three freshman, one sophomore, and three juniors.

I want to thank you for reading my blog and stay tuned for the next installment as we hit the road for our first event at Colorado State on Sept. 13 and 14.

-Kayla