Friday, October 9, 2015

The fall season of women’s golf is underway with almost every team competing in at least one event. Montana State Billings has already took part in four tournaments to lead all teams, while Western Washington, Saint Martin’s, Northwest Nazarene and Concordia have each competed in one tournament. Simon Fraser has yet to play this season.

STRIDES FOR ‘JACKETS: The Yellowjackets have taken part in the MSUB/RMC Collegiate Cup, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference #1 Tournament, the Western New Mexico Fall Intercollegiate and NCAA Division II National Preview. Freshman Kortney McNeil has continuously been the top golfer for MSUB this season. She finished tied for eighth at the RMAC #1, leading MSUB to a third-place team finish after shooting a 14-over-par 144. Bailee Dexter placed tied for 10th just a stroke behind McNeil.

At the NCAA National Preview in Denver, Colo. On Sept. 28 and 29, the Yellowjackets tied for seventh out of 20 teams. They set a program record for a single round team score of 297. The Yellowjackets were led once against by McNeil, who tied for eighth with a two-round score of 2-over-par 144. Anna DeMars tied for 14th, shooting 5-over-par 144.

MIDSEASON FORM: Western Washington joined MSUB at the Western New Mexico Fall Intercollegiate in Avondale, Ariz. on Sept. 21 and 22, beginning its season with a solid first performance. The Vikings placed third overall out of 20 teams, while the Yellowjackets placed 15th. Brooke Branigan tied for fifth for the Vikings, shooting a two-round score of 142. Kristen Hansen and Stephanie Sewell finished ninth and 10th, respectively, and Audrey Orem placed 18th.

ROSE CITY: Saint Martin’s competed at the Rose City Collegiate in Aurora, Ore. On Sept. 28 and 29, placing 15th against Division I competition. Jennifer Liedes shot a three-round score of 216 leading the Saints with a 55th place finish. Sarah Salvatori placed 59th, shooting 218. The Saints host the Saint Martin’s Invitational on Friday, Oct. 9. The event will also be attended by Northwest Nazarene, Simon Fraser and Concordia.

DUAL TIME: Northwest Nazarene hosted a dual match against College of Idaho on Sept. 30 in Nampa, Idaho. The Crusaders finished with a total team score of 8-over-par 288. Haley Gochnour was the lone competitor to finish under par with a 2-under-par 72 round. Samantha Miller placed second at even par 72. Brittney Paterson and Stephanie Miller placed fourth and fifth respectively, giving the Crusaders four of the top five golfers.

FIRST ACTION: Concordia took part in its first tournament of the season at the Culturame Classic in Aloha, Ore. on Oct. 3 and 4. The Cavaliers placed fifth overall, with three golfers finishing in the top-20. Lynsie Furuya shot 12-over-par 158, placing 11th overall. Bianca Rojo and Kelsey Whiles finished one stroke apart for 17th and 18th respectively. Rojo shot a two-round score of 162 with Whiles at 163.

FRESHMAN FRENZY: Most recently, Montana State Billings and Western Washington were at the Dixie State Invitational in St. George, Utah on Oct. 5 and 6. Montana State Billings freshman Shealyn Hafer sunk a hole-in-one on the 100-yard, par-3 15th hole, the second golfer to shoot a hole-in-one this season for MSUB. Freshman DeMars and McNeil each shot 8-over-par 152 to tied for ninth place to lead GNAC golfers. The Yellowjackets tied for seventh overall. The Vikings tied for fifth place with a team score of 622, led by sophomore Jenn Paul who also tied for ninth place.

Five of six teams will all meet at the Western Washington Invitational on Oct. 12. Saint Martin’s and Concordia will travel to Waikoloa, Hawaii, for the Dennis Rose Intercollegiate on Oct. 26, marking the last competition of the fall season for the GNAC.