Sioux Falls, S.D. – The Gustavus women’s golf team stayed the course, no pun intended, to finish runner-up after shooting a 310 (+22) on day two of competition at the Augustana Spring Invitational held at the Prairie Green Golf Course over the weekend. The Gusties, who shot an identical 310 (+22) on day one, moved up two spots on the second day to finish with a 36-hole total 620 (+44). Host Augustana College went on to win the meet after recording a 298 (+12) on day two, finishing with a 600 (+24) and four of its golfers inside the top-10. Rounding out the top-three was Minnesota State University, Mankato in third with a 623 (+47).
Pacing the Gusties on day two was once again rookie Sam Falk (Glenwood, Minn.), who bounced back in a big way from the worst round of her young career in Gustavus’ last outing against Flagler on April 6. The Glenwood, Minn. native used six birdies to shoot a tournament-low 70 (-2) on day one. Falk’s score in the opening round broke the school record for the lowest 18-hole score in Gustavus women’s golf history. Her mark edged Kelli Groff’s 2005 even par 72, which she shot in the second round of the Division III Midwest Classic in 2005. Falk followed her day one score with an 80 (+8), finishing in a three-way tie for fourth place with a six over par 150.
Kayleigh Dittes (Eden Prairie, Minn.), Ann Jackson (Fargo, N.D.), and Rikka Holiday (Bozeman, Mont.) all fired a four over par 76 on day two to lead the Gusties. Dittes finished second on the team and 12th overall with a 36-hole total 155 (+11), while Jackson ranked fourth on the squad and 16th overall with a 158 (+14). Holiday, who was competing as an individual, finished 29th overall with a 164 (+20).
“It was a good steady day today, nice to see three scores in the 70s. Sam had a great tournament, coming back with an 80 following her school record round yesterday. Annie, Taylor, and Kayleigh are very close to playing great golf and we expect them to keep progressing as the spring continues. Next weekend will be a great time for it all to come together,” said Head Coach Scott Moe following the tournament.
Taylor Drenttel (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) shot a 78 (+6) on day two to finish third on the team and 16th overall. Liz Strom (Fargo, N.D.) and Jordan Drenttel (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) rounded out the team in 34th and 48th, respectively. Strom finished with a 167 (+23) and Drenttel shot a 176 (+35).
Winning the tournament was Augustana’s Emily Kvidera who fired an even par 72 on day two to finish with a 148 (+4). Tying for second place was Samantha Bergmann of MSU-Mankato and Maggie Leland of Augustana who both shot a 149 (+5).
The Gustavus women’s golf team will be back on the links next weekend when it travels to Waverly, Iowa to take part in the Wartburg Invitational. The two-day meet will begin on Saturday, April 21st.