By: Madie Brink
LAKE CITY, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls women's golf team earned a runner-up finish at The Jewel Invite, held Sept. 21-22 at The Jewel Golf Club. The Cougars finished the two-round tournament with a team score of 615 (+39), placing second in the 12-team field.
Gwen Latunski and Abbie Ritzer led a balanced USF effort, each tying for fourth individually at 150 (+6). Latunski closed the tournament with a 73 (+1), while Ritzer followed an opening-round 76 with a 74 (+2). Tanna Phares gave the Cougars a third top-10 finisher, tying for ninth at 155 (+11).
Tournament Snapshot
How It Happened
Sioux Falls put itself in contention with a 305 (+17) during the opening round. Bryn Huber led the Cougars with a 75 (+3), while Ritzer followed with a 76 (+4). Latunski, Phares and Sophia Karsnia each carded a 77 (+5), giving USF five opening-round scores of 77 or better.
Latunski and Ritzer led the way during Tuesday's final round as the Cougars posted a 310 (+22). Latunski improved four strokes with a 73 (+1), closing with an even-par 36 on the back nine. Ritzer also improved from her opening round, firing a 74 (+2). Phares added a 78 (+6) as USF secured its second consecutive runner-up team finish.
Top Cougar Performers
Latunski continued her strong fall by climbing into a tie for fourth with rounds of 77 and 73 for a 150 (+6). Her final-round 73 was the lowest score by a Cougar at the tournament and marked her third consecutive top-20 finish after placing T-16 at the Central Region Fall Preview and second at the Tracy Lane Memorial Invite.
Ritzer matched Latunski at 150 (+6), using rounds of 76 and 74 to earn a share of fourth. She improved by two strokes in the final round to secure her second consecutive top-five finish after tying for fifth at the Tracy Lane Memorial Invite.
Phares rounded out USF's top-10 finishers with rounds of 77 and 78 for a 155 (+11), tying for ninth overall.
Cougar Scorecard
Gwen Latunski – T4 – 77-73 – 150 (+6)
Abbie Ritzer – T4 – 76-74 – 150 (+6)
Tanna Phares – T9 – 77-78 – 155 (+11)
Bryn Huber – T22 – 75-85 – 160 (+16)
Sophia Karsnia – T25 – 77-85 – 162 (+18)
Molly Halvorson (IND) – T25 – 80-82 – 162 (+18)
Avery Nelson (IND) – T39 – 83-85 – 168 (+24)
Up Next
The Cougars will head to Marshall, Minnesota next week to compete in the Mustang Invitational before returning home to host the USF Invite at The Falls Golf Course in Larchwood, Iowa October 12-13.
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