The Statesmen women’s golf team showed just how deep its program is at the Grinnell Invitational Sunday.
William Penn placed third out of four teams with a one-day tally of 328 at the par-72 Grinnell Country Club. Host Grinnell won the crown at 324, but the big story was WPU’s varsity reserve squad finishing second one stroke back at 325.
The event was different as it allowed teams to play six individuals on a squad instead of the normal five, and count four scores from that group.
Demi Coertze (Sr., Johannesburg, South Africa, Digital Communication) was the best Statesmen linkster, tying for first out of 24 players with a 76. She then went on to take the individual title by defeating Meg Monson of Mount Mercy in a two-hole playoff.
“Demi again showed why she is our anchor, playing well all day,” Head Coach Nik Rule said. “She handled adversity well and bounced back when challenges came about. She was so solid in the playoff.”
Elise Warne (Fr., North Balwyn, Australia, Exercise Science), in eighth at 81, and Courtney Cunningham (Jr., Muskogee, Okla., Computer Science), in a tie for ninth at 84, also placed in the top 10.
Miranda Keeler (Plattsmouth, Neb., Communications), who tied for 13th at 87, also counted for WPU. Brooke Fletcher (So., Atlantic, Iowa, Business Management) (T-19th, 91) and Natalie Booton (Sr., Mount Pleasant, Elementary Education) (23rd, 94) competed for the varsity as well.
In a day that belonged to the second squad, a trio of Statesmen tied for fifth at 80; the crew included Jodi Saito (Jr., Mililani, Hawaii, Education), Jing Yang (Sr., Woodland Hills, Calif., Biology), and Megan Rhoads (Fr., Schertz, Texas, Psychology).
Helene Larsen (Fr., Viborg, Denmark, Business Management) was the final VR scorer, tying for 11th at 85, while Alyssa Kerry (Fr., Bend, Ore., Communications) (17th, 89) and Alexi Rule (Jr., Idaho Falls, Idaho, Elementary Education) (18th, 90) also teed off Sunday.
“We are so proud of our second team and the way they stepped up and have played so fearless lately,” Rule said. “Today’s result shows that our young players and everyone else on our reserve team are game ready. It makes for some tough lineup decisions going forward, and as challenging as that can be, it is a good problem to have.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to Olathe, Kan. on October 5-6 to compete in the Baker Invitational. Play will be contested at Prairie Highland Golf Course.
