By Matt Kramer

Daily Sports Writer

Coming off its finest season ever, which included a record six tournament victories, the Michigan women's golf team opens its fall season this weekend and looks to defend its title at the 54-hole Wolverine Invitational at the Michigan Golf Course.

"It's always exciting to start the season," Michigan coach Kathy Teichert said. "But I'm always a little apprehensive."

If Teichert is a bit uneasy this weekend it's because she has to rely on a very different lineup than the one that went to the program's first NCAA Championships last year.

The biggest loss is All-Big Ten golfer Bess Bowers, who was good enough to qualify for the U.S. Women's Amateur this summer. Add in the departures of consistent contributors Misia Lemanski, Cortney Reno and LeAnna Wicks, and Teichert's nervousness can be justified. Senior Kim Benedict and sophomore Laura Olin are Michigan's only returning starters.

Michigan will have to count on fifth-year senior Stephanie Stasik, junior Sarah Kruer, sophomore Courtney Goebel and freshman Amy Schmucker to fill in the void.

Besides Kruer, who played 21 rounds as a freshman in 2000, and the true freshman Schmucker, the rest of Michigan's golfers combined to play just eight rounds last year.

"Olin and Benedict are going to have to step up this year and we expect them to do just that," Teichert said. "We've lost a lot of players and now we are giving a lot of new players and opportunity to shine. Stephanie Stasik has played really well in qualifying and we're hoping she'll improve."

Even with a revamped lineup, the Wolverines are hoping they won't have much of a problem with the competition - at least if last year's results are any indicator.

Michigan blew out the field at last year's Wolverine Invitational, scoring a team total of 623 - a tournament record - and winning by 38 strokes over second-place Eastern Michigan.

But unlike the Wolverines, a few of the teams in this year's tournament, including Indiana, James Madison, Eastern Carolina and Eastern Michigan, have already played competitive rounds this season.

"Eastern Michigan won its first tournament of the season this year, so they already look good," Teichert said. "But I like our chances. Our goal is to win."