The Bruins are headed into seemingly unknown territory.

Despite winning the Windy City Collegiate Classic last year, the course is now completely unfamiliar to the Bruins.

UCLA women’s golf will return to the Windy City Collegiate Classic in Wilmette, Illinois, this time as the reigning tournament champions. But despite the first-place trophy from last year, the greens will be new territory to the Bruins.

“Windy City is a little bit unique in that they rotate the courses every year,” said coach Alicia Um Holmes. “They have a rotation of four different courses that they play for their tournament. So although we did win last year, it’s a totally different golf course this year.”

A different golf course each year ensures that all teams are coming in with the same level of experience on the green: none. And as UCLA meets rival USC, Wake Forest and Purdue, among others, it will have an even-playing field with each opponent.

“I’m pretty satisfied with how I played, being that I’ve never played at that course before,” senior Tiffany Le said following the ANNIKA Intercollegiate. “Last year, I didn’t get to play in the opening tournament of the season, so it was really fun for me to travel with the team to somewhere I’ve never been as well.”

While Le was not named to the starting five for the Windy City Collegiate Classic, her attitude when playing new courses can carry over to the team’s mindset. And with the move to the Big Ten, the Bruins must adjust to unfamiliar greens.

Senior Caroline Canales, who slotted eighth at this tournament last year, was exempt from qualifying for the starting five after placing sixth at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate. With qualifying pressure off of her shoulders, Canales’ guaranteed spot in the lineup allowed her to brainstorm ways she could fine-tune her technique.

“My swing is feeling good, so probably wedges and short-putting to tighten up those areas on the course where you can be a little bit more aggressive,” Canales said. “Just making sure I’m feeling really confident in those two things before heading to Chicago will probably be a priority.”

Last year’s performances by then-sophomore Meghan Royal and then-junior Zoe Antoinette Campos boosted the team to victory after placing second and fourth, respectively. Both players are set to represent UCLA at the upcoming two-day tournament alongside Canales, senior Natalie Vo and freshman Francesca Fiorellini – the top-ranked Italian amateur making her Bruin debut.

Less than a week after the Windy City Collegiate Classic, UCLA will head down to Medinah, Illinois, to compete in the Illini Women’s Invitational at Medinah.

Coming off a week in the hot sun of Westwood prior to the Bruins’ season opener, Um Holmes said she will prioritize the team’s recovery in between the tournaments.

“Anytime you have success somewhere, you do have good feelings,” Um Holmes said. “In my opinion, on the coaching side, I have to do a better job managing their rest.”

The Bruins will tee off for their Illinois double-header on Monday.