By: Clint Neumann
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls women's golf team turned in a strong showing on its home course, finishing second at the Augustana Invitational held April 6 at Elmwood Golf Course. The Cougars posted a two-round total of 623 (+47), closing just three strokes behind tournament champion Concordia-St. Paul in a tightly contested 12-team field.
Sioux Falls was led by an individual title performance from Gwen Latunski, who paced the field with a two-round score of 151 (+7). The Cougars placed five golfers inside the top 20 and remained in contention throughout the day, continuing a strong stretch of play following last week's NSIC Preview.
Tournament Snapshot
- Top Cougar Finish: Gwen Latunski – 1st (+7, 73-78=151)
- Lowest Round: 73 (Gwen Latunski – Round 1)
- Team Best Round: 307 (+19)
- Tournament Champion: Concordia-St. Paul (+44)
- Number of Teams: 12
How It Happened
The Cougars opened the tournament with a solid first round, carding a 316 to position themselves near the top of the leaderboard. Latunski set the tone early with a 73 (+1), giving Sioux Falls momentum against a competitive field.
In round two, USF improved its team score with a 307 (+19), the team's best round of the day. The Cougars saw consistent contributions across the lineup, with multiple players either maintaining or improving their position. The steady play kept Sioux Falls firmly in the hunt for the team title throughout the final round, ultimately finishing just three strokes shy of first place.
Top Cougar Performers
Latunski delivered the highlight performance of the tournament, capturing medalist honors with a 151 (+7). Her opening-round 73 was the lowest round by any Cougar and set the foundation for her first collegiate victory. She followed with a 78 to secure the win in challenging conditions.
Karsnia continued her strong play, finishing tied for seventh at 156 (+12), including a 76 in round two to climb the leaderboard. Ritzer added another consistent performance, tying for 10th at 157 (+13), while Huber finished tied for 14th at 159 (+15). Phares rounded out the top five scorers for Sioux Falls, placing tied for 19th at 161 (+17).
The Cougars also saw valuable contributions from their individual competitors, with several players gaining experience and providing depth throughout the event.
Cougar Scorecard
Coach's Corner
"Really happy for Gwen, her first collegiate win. She played well in less than ideal conditions. And I am really proud of the girls who were in contention all day. They are starting to believe in themselves. It started in the second round of the NSIC Preview last week and carried over to this one. Now, we have to carry this feeling into our next event."
- Head Coach Wade Merry
Up Next
Sioux Falls heads to Wayne, Neb., for the Wildcat Classic on April 13–14 at Wayne Country Club, where the Cougars will look to build on their strong finish and recent momentum.
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