Friday, February 27, 2015

PORTLAND, Ore. - Both Saint Martin's men’s and women’s golf teams had a top 10 finisher last week in their first action of the spring season.

Freshman Matt Hedges tied for seventh at the Coyote Classic and junior Jennifer Liedes tied for ninth at the St. Edwards Invitational, both earning Player of the Week honors.

Hedges shot a 68 in the third round to finish four-over par at Arrowhead Country Club in San Bernardino, Calif. Only one golfer finished with a lower score on the second day of competition.

The Ashland, Ore. native led the Saints by shooting a three-round score of 214, helping the team jump to a 10th-place finish in the event.

Three other Saints finished in the top 20, including junior Kevin Cullen and senior Patrick Whealdon tying for 16th.

At the St. Edwards Invitational in Austin, Texas, Liedes finished with a two-round score of 155 for her third top 10 finish this season. 

The Saints didn’t have a chance to get a practice round in before the tournament because of bad weather, but that didn’t stop Liedes from carding a 74, placing her in second after the opening round.

Liedes finished her second round with an 81 after winds in the mid-20’s caused a one-day delay.

Fellow junior Sarah Salvatori was one of the more consistent Saints players last week, shooting an 83 and 84 to finish 34th.

As a team, the Saints finished in tenth at the 64-player event. 

The Northwest Nazarene women were also in action last week at the Cal Baptist Invitational, finishing in eighth with three top-50 finishes.

Simon Fraser is the next women’s team in action, competing in the Cal State East Bay Invitational Monday and Tuesday. Four GNAC men’s teams kick-off their 2015 spring seasons the following week at the Notre Dame de Namur Invitational March 9.