The short game. Deceptively simple, it can make or break a team’s overall performance on the golf course.

SIUC’s short game led the women’s golf team to a disappointing 14th place finish at the Northwestern University 1995 Wildcat Invitational this weekend. Ohio State won the 15-team tournament.

Fast greens and poor putting proved to be a key elements in the Salukis’ struggles.

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The greens were very fast, Head coach Diane Daugherty said. Our putting was the killer. We averaged about five three-putts per person per round. We even had some four-putts.

Junior golfer Stacy Skillman said going into the tournament the short game was essential to low scores.

The short game is technically the key to golf, she said. The best players have better short games.

The team had been working on their short game in practice as preparation for the tournament.

Stiff competition from Big 10 schools such as Ohio State, Indiana, and Iowa State also contributed to the Salukis’ finish.

Daugherty said her squad should have handled the added pressure because the team has defeated several Big 10 schools in the past.

It was a tough golf course, but we should have been able to beat some of the schools, she said. I felt we (SIUC) should have been in the middle.

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Team co-captain Molly Hudgins led the Salukis, finishing tied for 28th with a 246. Hudgins was the only Saluki to shoot in the 70s in the tournament, scoring a 79 in the second round of play.

Golfer Jennifer Prasse finished her first tournament 80th out of 93 players with a 263.

There was really tough competition, Prasse said. The course was really difficult.

Daugherty said she felt Prasse played well in her debut tournament.

The team is focused on improving their game for the Northern Invitational Sept. 29-Oct. 1, hosted by Indiana University, Daugherty said.

Every time we tee off against good competition it makes us better.