Leathernecks take fourth at Summit League Championships

TULSA, Okla. — The Western Illinois women's golf team posted a 322 during the final round of The Summit League Tournament to finish in fourth place for the second consecutive year.

The Fighting Leathernecks' three-round total of 973 finished just two strokes shy of third-place UMKC. Oral Roberts handily won its 13th straight conference title at 932 while South Dakota State finished second at 965.

Western Illinois coach Lia Biehl Lukkarinen said she was pleased with her team's finish, considering Western was selected seventh in the league's preseason coach's poll.

“I definitely was happy with finishing higher than they expected us to. I am really happy with the progress we are making as a program,” Biehl Lukkarinen said. “We definitely left some shots out there, and it was a tough golf course for us. But considering everything, we managed our games well.”

Leading the pack for the Leathernecks, junior Tara Peterman finished in a tie for sixth place individually with a three-round total of 236 (75-82-79). Peterman finished just one shot away from a top-five finish and a spot on the All-Championship team.

“She's just a really strong player with a good short game,” Biehl Lukkarinen said of Peterman. “I look into the future and I think she is going to be in the lead in a lot of tournaments. I always expect Tara to play well.”

Sophomore Emily Brink was Western's next best finisher as the sophomore tied for 11th at 239 (79-83-77). Brink came on strong for the Leathernecks this spring after season after a slow fall season.

“Emily is one of my most dedicated players as far as working on her game,” Biehl Lukkarinen said. “She worked hard all winter and I am thrilled to see her succeed. I am anticipating big things for her the next two years.”

Junior Lindsay Wandrey finished in 19th at 247 (87-78-82) and junior Claire Gursh finished in 24th at 251 (81-86-84) for the Leathernecks while senior Jennifer Holt closed out her career at Western in a tie for 41st at 269 (87-92-90).

The Leathernecks concluded another successful season that saw the team record two tournament wins and seven top-five finishes. Biehl Lukkarinen said she looks forward to getting ready for 2010-11 with a solid nucleus of players returning. In addition to Peterman, Brink, Wandrey and Gursh, Western also returns solid playing experience in freshman Alexa Arent and sophomore Samantha Hainline.

“I really feel good going forward,” Biehl Lukkarinen said. “We have a really great outlook for next year for sure.”

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