Women's golf takes ninth at NIU Snowbird

TAMPA, Fla. — The Western Illinois women's golf team shot 704 over two rounds to finish in ninth place at the NIU Snowbird, which concluded Thursday, March 11, at Pebble Creek Golf Club.

The Fighting Leathernecks shot 346 in the opening round Wednesday before following with a 358 in their second and final round.

"We had three pretty good rounds on Wednesday for not having a practice round. (Thursday) we pretty much played in torrential rain, so everyone's scores went up," said Western Illinois coach Lia Biehl Lukkarinen.

Methodist University won the tournament with a score of 645 (317-328) while Indiana State's Breanne Smith was the medalist with a score of 153 (76-77).

Junior Tara Peterman led Western with a two-round score of 164 (83-81) to finish in a tie for 11th place.

"Tara had a good tournament. She was able to shave a few strokes off (Thursday) despite the weather," Biehl Lukkarinen said.

Also for the Leathernecks, Claire Gursh shot 174 (81-93) to tie for 31st, Lindsay Wandrey shot 178 (82-96) to tie for 39th, Alexa Arent shot 188 (100-88) to tie for 57th and Jennifer Holt shot 196 (100-96) to tie for 64th.

"This was our first time playing outside since the fall and it definitely showed," Biehl Lukkarinen said. "We can only go up from here. We just need to knock a little rust off our short game and we'll be alright."

The Leathernecks will compete in a Ryder Cup scrimmage against Florida Gulf Coast Monday, March 15.

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