BURNSVILLE, MINN. -- Freshman Paige Hillman of the University of Sioux Falls Women's Golf Team, who won her first individual title and helped the Cougars to a team title at the Jimmie Spring Fling, has earned her first-ever Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Women's Golfer of the Week honor, according to an announcement Wednesday (March 30) by the league office.
 

At the Jimmie Spring Fling at the Ames (Iowa) Country Club, Hillman carded a 17-over par 159 on the par 71 course as she continues an outstanding freshman campaign. Hillman, who had her third best two-round total of the year, had 17 pars and two birdies. She was the only golfer at the event to shoot sub-80 in either of the rounds. This year, Hillman is averaging 81.26 per round.

"We knew it was just a matter of time before Paige (Hillman) won a college tournament," said USF Head Women's Golf Coach Wade Merry. "Considering how cold and windy it was, plus the fact that the golf course had just opened and conditions were far from ideal, her scores - especially the opening round 75 – were outstanding," said Merry.

The USF Women's Team, led by Hillman, captured the title with a 124-over par total of 692 (336-356). USF won its first title of the year with its third top three placement in the last four meets. It is also USF's first title since winning the Augustana Spring Invite on April 18, 2021 at the Elmwood Golf Course in Sioux Falls.

Next for USF will be the Hardrocker Invitational on April 4-5 at the Arrowhead Country Club in Rapid City, S.D.