Hey Illini Nation!
This is freshman Yurang Li, and I am the newest addition to the Illini women’s golf team! It has been a thrilling start and I am excited to share the highlights of my first two weeks on campus as we prepare for the spring season.
Arriving on campus in January was a unique experience. I moved into my dorm and finding my way around campus was a priority. I enjoyed the liveliness on campus as the first day of classes approached. Being a Southern California native, the snow and wind chill conditions were entirely new to me. Embracing the opportunity to experience all four seasons and practicing in diverse weather conditions will be a huge benefit for my game.
One of the highlights so far has been our pottery team bonding event at Springer Cultural Center. We tried wheel throwing and each of us created multiple masterpieces with clay. Despite the trial-and-error process for most of us, it was an enjoyable and unforgettable experience. It is safe to say that I will stick to my skills with golf but I can’t wait to put my handcrafted mugs to good use!
Fast forward a week and a half and we departed for our training trip in Naples, Fla., to practice! We played The Talon Course at TwinEagles on the first day and Hideout Golf Club on our second day. Both courses had conditions that allowed us to get the most out of our training. After the first round, connecting with our alumni over dinner was insightful, and I am grateful for the words of wisdom shared. I would like to thank our host families for their warm hospitality and a big shout out to Mr. Ronald Filler for providing us with this great opportunity!
Balancing my academics and athletics has its challenges but with the help of my teammates, coaches and Illini family, the transition has been seamless. Catch us at our first tournament on February 12-14 in the Nexus Collegiate!
Go Illini!!
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