The William Penn women’s golf team’s biggest competition ironically came from within its own program as it took the crown at the William Penn Classic Sunday and Monday.
The 12th-ranked Statesmen topped the nine-team field with a two-day tally of 632 (307-325) at the par-71 Edmundson Golf Course. WPU’s varsity reserve squad claimed silver at 648 (325-323); both crews finished ahead of #26 Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.), which was a distant third at 662.
Lauren Fitts of Dakota Wesleyan won the individual medalist honor in the 49-player field at 152 (76-76), while first-day leader Demi Coertze (Sr., Johannesburg, South Africa, Digital Communication) headed the navy and gold in third at 156 (74-82).
Miranda Keeler (So., Plattsmouth, Neb., Communications) was only one stroke behind Coertze in fourth at 157 (79-78), while Jing Yang (Sr., Woodland Hills, Calif., Biology) placed fifth at 160 (76-84).
Jodi Saito (Jr., Mililani, Hawaii, Education), in a tie for 11th (83-81–164), and Elise Warne (Fr., North Balwyn, Australia, Exercise Science), in a tie for 14th (78-87–165), also competed for the first team.
Courtney Cunningham (Jr., Muskogee, Okla., Computer Science) (83-78) and Megan Rhoads (Fr., Schertz, Texas, Psychology) (80-81) headlined the varsity reserve’s efforts as they tied for sixth at 161. Brooke Fletcher (So., Atlantic, Iowa, Business Management) was also in the top 10 in a tie for eighth (82-81–163), while Helene Larsen (Fr., Viborg, Denmark, Business Management) (80-85–165) tied for 14th and Natalie Booton (Sr., Mount Pleasant, Elementary Education) (87-83–170) was 22nd.
WPU’s third squad was in action as well, placing sixth overall at 704 (349-355). Alyssa Kerry (Fr., Bend, Ore., Communications) had the leading score at 171 (87-84) for 23rd, while Sofie Lund (Fr., Herning, Denmark, Psychology) (24th, 89-84–173), Jordan Postma (So., Marion, Iowa, Biology) (T-28th, 87-89–176), Bailey Rimes (Fr., Niceville, Fla., Public Accounting) (37th, 86-98–184), and Aramina Flores (So., Corpus Christi, Texas, History/Government) (45th, 99-100–199) also hit the links.
Alexi Rule (Jr., Idaho Falls, Idaho, Elementary Education) (30th, 88-89–177) played as an individual.
“Our goal was to defend our home turf and we did that well,” Head Coach Nik Rule said. “Edmundson Golf Course is in beautiful shape, the staff was amazing as always, and it certainly was a memorable event.”
“We continue to embrace our journey as we keep working toward the ultimate goal of winning another conference championship,” Rule added. “It is only October, but we are making the necessary progress for success in April and May. I am not overly concerned that we are not going consistently low; I am pleased with our development because we are trending in the right direction and still winning golf tournaments. We are more concerned about the process and direction our ladies are heading. It takes a sense of vision and looking at the big picture when you have a long season like ours and we are embracing that big picture.”
Next Up: William Penn wraps up the fall on October 24-25 by traveling to Oklahoma City, Okla. to compete in the Susie Maxwell Berning Classic. Play will be contested at Lincoln Park Golf Course.
Story provided by Wade Steinlage
