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As winter draws closer, The University of Montana golf team is still hard at work.  Though the Grizzlies can’t always practice outside, they use creative training techniques in the West Auxiliary Gym on campus until spring.
 
Coach Joanne Steele said the team uses the WAG four to five times a week throughout the winter.  During training sessions, Steele sets up five hitting mats along the baseline in the gym.  A softer golf ball is used.  

“Nothing beats the real thing,” Steele said.  “But we try to make do.”

Montana also uses a storage closet in the WAG as a make-shift putting green.  Carissa Simmons, junior, said she hasn’t utilized the putting green enough, but it gives her a good chance to work on her game.

“I like to go in and work on putting,” Simmons said.  “That’s what is important to me.”

Another innovative idea is using trash cans to practice wedge shots.  Simmons said the practices turn into competitions.

“We set goals as a team,” Simmons said.  “It keeps us motivated.”

The offseason is also an important time for the Grizzlies to work on their strength and conditioning.  Simmons said the offseason is when fitness gets tested.

“The workouts are amped up,” Simmons said.  “We lift more and do more cardio.”

Besides indoor workouts, Montana finds other ways to keep up with the teams in the conference.

Steele said Montana makes the most of its time while at tournaments.  When others teams are relaxing by the pool, the Grizzlies spent their free time practicing.  Opportunities to play on grass are rarer for Montana.

To get on grass in the winter, Steele said some players travel south with their families over winter break.  
In February, the Grizzlies play nine holes of golf in Hamilton, Mont., to prepare for spring competition.  

Since Montana is a cold-weather program, Steele said she knows the kind of players she wants to recruit.

“Girls that come from the Northwest have the most success,” Steele said.  “They know they won’t step on grass for three months.”

Every golfer for Montana comes from a western state and has experience on a snow covered golf courses.

“We are used to getting the winters off,” Simmons said.  “It’s nice to have an offseason and be able to hit indoors.”

Steele holds qualifying competitions at practice for the players to earn their way into upcoming tournaments.

“I want the best players at their best,” Steele said.  “It doesn’t matter if they are freshman or seniors.”

Montana fields five golfers for tournaments.  The top two finishers from the last tournament are automatically entered and don’t have to qualify for the next tournament, but the final three spots are up for grabs.

“The players that stay home are just as good,” Steele said.  “It makes practices harder.”

By making every player earn a spot at each tournament, Steele said it helps recruiting.

“The freshmen have a chance to come in and play right away,” Steele said.  “They prove to the program what they can do.  It’s the only fair way to do it.”

With nine golfers on the team and five playing at each tournament, the players become close.

“We all get along really well,” Simmons said.  “There are no problems with drama.”

Traveling to Daytona Beach, Fla., for the final tournament of the fall gave the players an opportunity to bond on and off the course.

“How many opportunities do you get to go to Disney World with your four best friends?” Simmons said.  “We are all really fortunate.”

Steele said what brings the team together is their hard work and commitment.  The team is the first one to practice in the mornings, getting in at 6:15 a.m.  

“It doesn’t matter if there is a tournament or not,” Steele said.  “We have to keep a schedule and structure.”

Montana relies on work ethic to compete with warm-weather schools.  Not being able to golf outside year-round puts Montana at a disadvantage.

“Four out of the past five seasons, we enter the first spring tournament without stepping on grass,” Steele said.

Other teams have an advantage in the offseason, but Montana catches up quickly.

“The more shots we make, the more confidence we gain,” Simmons said.  “Towards the end of the year it’s equal.  There is no excuse not to compete with the top teams.”

Montana will have their first competition of the spring at the Northern Arizona Red Rocks Invitational Feb. 28 to March 1.

Before the Grizzlies can compete in the spring, they have to make it through the winter.  To handle the cold weather, Steele offers her players a piece of advice.

“Put on a jacket and go.”