LAKE CITY, MINN. – Senior
Lexi Hanson is tied for seventh individually and led the University of Sioux Falls Women's Golf Team to a fourth place finish through day one of the Golden Bear Classic, which opened today (Sept. 16) at The Jewel Golf Club. Round two of the tournament is scheduled for a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
As a team, USF carded a 34-over par total of 322 and sit just three shots from third place and six out of second place. The team leader through day one is NSIC member Augustana at 15-over par 303 with Nebraska-Kearney in second at 28-over par 316 and then Minnesota State at 31-over par 319 with USF in fourth. Host school Concordia St. Paul is tied with Minot State for fifth with a 35-over par total of 323.
On the par-72, 5,825 course, USF also had solid efforts from freshman
Maggie Veenendall and juniors
Lexi Jonas and
Kyleigh Moran, who opened with rounds of 80 and sit tied for 15
th overall. Freshman
Annie Balduzzi followed that trio of Cougars with an 81 and a tie at 23
rd. Juniors
Sydney Hubbard and
Alex Nutter closed out USF's contingent with rounds of 85 and are tied at 40
th.
According to USF Head Women's Golf Coach
Tavia Rutherford, the Cougars showed grit and heart through a long day of golf.
"I am really proud of how the team never gave up through the round. They battled to the very end. It was an extremely long round which made it tough for the team to gain momentum. Tomorrow, we will look to improve on our strategy and our short game," she said.