MACOMB, Ill. — Western Illinois golfer Claire Gursh picked up her first career individual win Monday, leading the Fighting Leathernecks to a team title in the Western Illinois Autumn Invitational for the second consecutive year.
Gursh shot a tournament-best round of 75 Monday at the Harry Mussatto Golf Course and finished with a two-round total of 153 to beat second place finisher Lucy McGovern of Loyola by three strokes.
"Claire was a few shots out of the lead after the first round. She kind of snuck in and took it," said Western Illinois coach Lia Biehl Lukkarinen. "She played really well today."
The junior's performance helped the Leathernecks to a team score of 313-324—637 for the top spot on the leaderboard. Loyola came in second at 648, IUPUI was third at 653, Eastern Illinois was fourth at 659, Chicago State was fifth at 664, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and the Western Illinois gold team tied for sixth at 683, Green Bay was eighth at 691 and Quincy was ninth at 726.
"Just like last year, It's really great to start out on top. It's a positive way to get going," Biehl Lukkarinen said. "The score today wasn't our best, but it was good enough."
Behind Gursh, Leathernecks junior Tara Peterman tied with SIU-E's Sarah Gereaux for third place individually at 77-81—158. Also for Western, Emily Brink (76-85—161) tied for eighth while Lindsay Wandrey (82-84—166) and Jenifer Holt (82-84—166) tied for 17th.
In her first collegiate tournament, Western Illinois freshman Alexa Arent came in 10th with a score of 81-81—162, to lead the Western Illinois gold squad. Also for the gold squad, Jenna Keane (87-86—173) tied for 33rd, Samantha Hainline (86-91—177) and Elizabeth Fernandes (94-83—177) both tied for 40th and Jaleesa Burton (88-91—179) tied for 43rd
Playing as an individual, Western's Kristen Palmer tied for 42nd with a 99-82—181.
Western next travels to Hammond, Ind., Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 21-22, to play in the Chicago State Invitational.
Results
1. Western Illinois 313-324—637
2. Loyola 323-325—648
3. IUPUI 333-320—653
4. Eastern Illinois 329-330—659
5. Chicago Sate 335-329—664
T6. SIU-Edwardsville 346-337—683
T6. Western Illinois gold 342-341—683
8. Green Bay 350-341—691
9. Quincy 364-362—726
