Leathernecks take fourth in Hotels at Grand Prairie Invite

PEORIA, Ill. — The Western Illinois women's golf team played its best golf of the tournament during the final round of the Hotels at Grand Prairie Invitational Tuesday, April 6, to finish the tournament in fourth place.

The Fighting Leathernecks' score of 307 in the final round was the lowest single round Western has scored in coach Lia Biehl Lukkarinen's five-year tenure. The milestone helped the Leathernecks to a three-round total of of 932 as Western finished just four strokes behind third-place Northern Iowa. Drake ran away with the tournament title at 895 while host Bradley finished second at 919.

“It was huge for us to play our best golf on the last day,” Biehl Lukkarinen said. “In the past, we have not followed up on our first rounds. We have let our expectations make us nervous. This time, we held together and finished with good round.”

Leading the Leathernecks was sophomore Emily Brink, who opened the tournament with a career-best round of 74 Monday followed by two rounds of 79 to share a tie of 13th place individually at 232.

Behind Brink, three Western Illinois juniors tied for 17th at 235. Tara Peterman shot 81-78-76, Lindsay Wandrey shot 81-80-74 and Claire Gursh shot 80-76-79. Rounding out the scoring for the Leathernecks, senior Jennifer Holt placed 26th at 238 (83-77-78) and freshman Alexa Arent tied for 28th at 246 (80-84-82).

“I was really pleased with the way we played. We are really starting to jel as a team,” Biehl Lukkarinen said. “The competition was pretty stiff and we were able to stay right with some tough teams and beat some teams we haven't beaten in the past.”

Competing as an individual, sophomore Samantha Hainline came in 40th at 247 (88-78-81).

Western will travel to Chicago April 12-13 to compete in the Loyola Invitational, the team's final tune up before competing in The Summit League Championship April 19-20 in Tulsa, Okla.

“I was really glad we got this tournament in because it is our only chance to play 54 holes, which is what we play at conference,” Biehl Lukkarinen said. “Hopefully we'll have good weather this week. We really need to work on our short game Thursday and Friday and then we'll be off to Loyola.”

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