Past glory and future hopes don't mean anything to a golf course.
The bunkers don't care that Mary Moan '97 was the best eastern collegiate female golfer ever.
The fairways don't even consider the prospects of a young team on the verge of greatness.
The women's golf team will face its rivals at the second-ever Ivy Championships this weekend. But the real task for the Tigers is to remain tough mentally and overcome a challenging golf course.
When the team heads to Nassau County, N.Y., and the Green course at Bethpage State Park, its focus must be on the present.
The Princeton team of today has the talent, experience and desire to succeed. With a little luck and two days of consistent shotmaking it can capture the Ivy title.
Double trouble
When facing the likes of golf powerhouse Yale and the daunting 5,900-yard Green course, winning will not be an easy challenge.
Last year both of these foes spoiled Princeton's hopes for a team victory in the inaugural women's Ivy Championships. Yale pulled out a 38-stroke victory while the Tigers finished a distant second.
Although Princeton lost the All-American Moan to graduation, this year's team boasts a much deeper lineup.
Freshman Julia Allison leads the team at the No. 1 position. She has earned the top spot with a phenomenal tournament record. Coming off two consecutive tournament wins, Allison will be a strong contender for individual medalist honors.
Fellow freshman Natalie Christensen will occupy the team's second spot. Her strength off the tee should be a great asset to the team and will keep her in the hunt for individual honors.
The No. 3 position will be filled by senior captain Laura Gilmore. An NCAA regional selection three years ago, Gilmore missed Ivies last year because of an injury. Her experience will certainly boost the team's chances.
Darkhorse
"She's a sleeper," head coach Eric Stein said. "Gilmore has the potential to come alive."
Senior captain Michelle Mason and freshman Adrienne Gill will round out the lineup.
The Tigers are all consistently strong off the tee. The short game is what will make the difference for Princeton.
The challenge for the predominantly young Tiger team is to maintain the mental edge over its Ivy rivals. Consistent play for 36 holes at Bethpage will not be easy, but Princeton has proven it can succeed in the past.
But if Princeton is to redeem last year's disappointing loss, it must not only defeat the course, but defending champion and favorite Yale.
Upstarts
Although Princeton beat Yale in three of four tournaments during the fall season, the Elis will be tough competitors. Yale returns three All-Ivy selections from last season.
Leading the Elis is Natalie Wong. The senior, who finished third at Ivies last year, is a favorite for the individual title.
A Wong-Allison matchup for medalist honors would be an interesting subplot. The two golfers grew up playing each other in junior tournaments and battled for tournament titles all fall.
Yale also returns senior Charity Barras and sophomore Chawwadee Rompothong, who finished second and sixth, respectively, at Ivies last year.
Yale may have history on its side, but the key to a Princeton victory is to ignore all the figments of the past and focus on the present, hole-by-hole.
"I think they're overrated," Allison said. "We'll beat them."
"(You need to) play to your strengths," Stein said. "Allow the numbers to take care of themselves."
"It was a little bittersweet," head coach Eric Stein said.
Mason's leadership coupled with Gill's grit will make for a strong combination.
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