Silvis, Ill.–The Statesmen women’s golf team showed it was not intimidated by its fellow ranked opposition as it finished high at the TPC Deere Run Invitational Monday and Tuesday.
#23 William Penn placed fifth out of 17 teams with a two-day tally of 645 (324-321) at the par-72 TPC Deere Run Golf Course. #12 Campbellsville (Ky.) won the event at 614 (314-300), 12 strokes ahead of #8 Cumberlands (Tenn.). The deep field also included #21 Northwestern Ohio (fourth place) and #27 Lawrence Tech (Mich.) (third).
Cassidy Scantland of Campbellsville went into the red for the individual crown, posting a one-under 143 (70-73).
Courtney Cunningham (Sr., Muskogee, Okla., Computer Science) topped the Statesmen as she tied for fifth (out of 105 players) at 154 (78-76). She was named to the 10-person all-tournament team for her efforts.
Elise Warne (So., Melbourne, Australia, Exercise Science) just missed the all-tourney squad, tying for 12th at 159 (81-78). Helene Larsen (So., Viborg, Denmark, Business Management), at 82-84–166, and Jodi Saito (Sr., Mililani, Hawaii, Education), at 83-83–166, each tied for 24th overall, while Brittany Evans (Fr., Fernley, Nev., Business Management) wrapped up the varsity’s scoring in a tie for 49th at 177 (92-85).
The Statesmen varsity reserve crew was also on the links and tied for ninth at 691 (352-339). The duo of Alexis Guimaraes (Fr., San Ramon, Calif., Psychology) (87-85) andBrooke Fletcher (Jr., Atlantic, Iowa, Business Management) (88-84) tied for 34th with final scores of 172.
Megan Rhoads (So., Schertz, Texas, Psychology), who tied for 39th at 173 (88-85), and Jordan Postma (Jr., Marion, Iowa, Biology), who tied for 42nd at 174 (89-85), were right behind their teammates, while Alyssa Kerry (So., Bend, Ore., Communications) carded a 183 (94-89) for two days of action to tie for 60th.
A quartet of navy and gold linksters also competed as individuals with Miranda Keeler (Jr., Plattsmouth, Neb., Communications) headlining their play. Keeler joined Cunningham on the all-tourney squad, tying for 10th at 158 (82-76).
“Making the all-tournament team in this event is really something to be proud of, so I am very happy for Courtney and Miranda,” Head Coach Nik Rule said. “This was a stacked field with some of the country’s best players and teams.”
Deanna Peiffer (Fr., Washington, Iowa, Public Accounting) (T-49th, 90-87–177), Sofie Lund (So., Herning, Denmark, Psychology) (T-54th, 90-90–180), and Tiffany Duhon (So., Lafayette, La., Elementary Education) T-76th, 94-98–192) competed at the spring opener as well.
“With this being our first event of the spring and playing at a TPC course in very wet conditions, we feel like we are in a good spot moving forward,” Rule said. “A course like this punishes you for unforced errors in a way that most courses we play would not. It is a good learning experience for our players as we look to minimize our big misses going forward.”
“I was proud of the way the team conducted themselves; they were very professional and decisive,” Rule added. “If we continue that type of attitude, our bad days will be less dramatic and our good days will produce superior results. This team is excited to get better; their energy is contagious and we are looking forward to getting better each day.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to Ankeny Saturday and Sunday to compete in the Iowa Central CC Invitational. Play will be contested at Otter Creek Golf Course.
Story provided by Wade Steinlage
