BURNSVILLE, MINN. -- Maggie Veenendall of the University of Sioux Falls Women's Golf has had a week to remember. After winning her first career title at the Augustana Invitational Sunday (Oct. 3), Veenendall has been named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Women's Golfer of the Week for the first time today (Wednesday, Oct. 6).

 

Veenendall, a junior from New Richmond, Wisc., captured her first career individual title with a career-best two-round total of 148 (77-71) at the Augustana Invite which concluded on Sunday.

Led by Veenendall, who ranks second in the NSIC in scoring average at 75.6 across nine rounds, and a third place finish from freshman Paige Hillman, the Cougars placed second overall with a 60-over 636 (322-314).

In winning the tournament individual title, Veenendall also recorded a career-best two-round total of four-over, 148, which better her previous low score of four-over par 151 (Watkins Invite, Sept. 28, 2021; Central Region Preview, Sept. 4, 2019). Named by the NSIC earlier this season as USF's Player to Watch, Veenendall has been at  the top of her game this fall. She has placed 11th or better in fourth fall competitions with a top-two placing in each of the past two meets.

Prior to winning the Augustana invite, she finished second at the Watkins Invitational in Lake City, Minn., on Sept. 27-28. The play of Veenendall, who was first team All-NSIC and NSIC Newcomer of the Year last spring, has helped USF place in the top three as a team in each of final two fall competitions. 

At the Augustana Invite, she helped USF record back-to-back individual titles (Lexi Hanson, spring 2021). She shot the best round of the tourney for all competitors with her second round one-under 71, which was the second lowest score of her career. At the Watkins Invite, she carded a career-best two-under par 70 in the second round.  In the first round of the Augustana Invite, the senior shot a five-over 77 that included seven pars plus birdies on the 364-yard hole 5, the 355-yard hole 9, and the 468-yard hole 18. Veenendall's second round included 11 pars and four birdies: 361-yard hole 3, 452-yard hole 6, 355-yard hole 9, and 452-yard hole 10.