NORMAL, Ill. – The Gustavus women’s golf team kicked off its spring season Saturday at the Kathy Niepagen Spring Fling, hosted by Illinois Wesleyan University, and sits in fifth place out of 18 teams after the first of two rounds. The Gusties carded a 320, which is 11 strokes behind the leader and host Illinois Wesleyan. Huntingdon College is in second with a 314 and DePauw University is in third at 318.
“It was a good effort and start from the team today,” Assistant Coach Randy Stuckey said. “We hit the ball pretty well but didn’t convert good shots into a good score. Conditions were a little bit tough but they hung in there through the entire round. We’re looking forward to cleaning up our play around the greens tomorrow.”
McKenzie Swenson (Sr., Buffalo, Minn.) was the sole Gustie to shoot in the 70’s as she posted a 78. Kristen Cash (So., Roseville, Minn.) and Ellie Brandt (Jr., Wayzata, Minn.) each carded an 80, while Morgan Bleyhl (So., Elk River, Minn.) tallied an 82 and Jessica Nelson (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) an 83.
The second and final round of the invitational takes place tomorrow at Ironwood Golf Course.