Women’s golf finds rhythm

Womens golf finds rhythm

By Tyler Dixon

 

After disappointing finishes in the first two tournaments of the season, the Salukis clicked and grabbed their first tournament win of the season Tuesday at the University of Missouri Kansas City Kangaroo Invitational in Kansas City, Mo.

“We know we can put low scores and low team scores on the card and be able to bounce back,” coach Alexis Mihelich said.

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This was the first tournament win for the Salukis since the 2012 SIUE Intercollegiate. Mihelich said it was beneficial to get this win against familiar teams.

“It feels good; it’s a confidence booster within our conference competition,” Mihelich said.

The women capped off a successful first day Monday with a team round of 291, the third-best single-round score in SIU women’s golf history.

Junior Kris Grimes led SIU with a 1-over-par 73 after the first round. Grimes has proven her ability to post low scores, as she was a two-time All-American at the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Calif.

Grimes said she knew she could post good scores as soon as she saw the course.

“When I stepped onto the course, I felt confident,” Grimes said.

Senior Cassie Rushing continued her stellar senior season with a 4-over-par 76 in the first round and a 4-under-par 68 in the second. Rushing’s second round score was the only round in the 60s in the entire tournament field.

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“I was really pleased with how well I hit my irons, and my putting was really good too,” Rushing said.

Mihelich said Cassie Rushing has the ability to shoot low scores every round.

“Her ball striking is excellent. She hits it really hard and far and is really good with her irons,” Mihelich said.

Three members of the team and the individual qualifier, sophomore Mattie Lindner, posted scores in the 70s during the first round.

Bradley University junior Thea Hedemann and sophomore Danielle Lemek had the lead after the first round. They each shot even par.

The Salukis were nine shots behind at the end of the first day after Bradley shot a team score of 308.

The second round of the tournament was controlled by SIU. Every team member had rounds in the 70s and they did not need to use a 7-over-par 79 from freshman Brooke Cusumano.

Senior Ashleigh Rushing bounced back after an opening round 83 and finished with a 4-over-par 76 in her second round.

Freshman Xianmei Jin shot even par in the second round.

The top four team scores are used for the team total and SIU finished at 3-over-par as a team.

The lowest total of the tournament for the Salukis as a team was the final round, despite having five of their six players finish with rounds in the 70s.

Cassie Rushing finished the tournament at 6-over-par and in second place, two shots behind Lemek. Grimes finished in third one shot behind Cassie Rushing. All Salukis finished tied for 23rd or better.

“It was two beautiful days, three rounds of great golf,” Grimes said.

SIU hopes to sustain this momentum for two weeks until they head to Springfield, Mo., for the Payne Stewart Memorial hosted by Missouri State University.

Mihelich said her team will see familiar faces at MSU.

“Quite a few of our conference foes will be at the Missouri State tournament and we’re looking forward to a strong finish there,” she said.

Tyler Dixon can be reached at [email protected] or 536-3311 ext. 269.

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