Cowgirl golf finished sixth with two top-20 finishes this past weekend at the Firestone Grill Women’s Invitational in Arroyo Grande, Calif.
“It was our highest finish of the year,” head coach Josey Stender said. “I saw a lot of good things out there this past weekend. We played well in hitting greens in regulation. It was a good note to end on.”
“It was a really challenging golf course,” UW director of golf coach Joe Jensen added. “It was a good way to finish the fall season out.”
Leading the way for the Cowgirls were a pair of underclassmen. Freshman Gabrielle Gibson and sophomore Taylor Dorans each carded a 157 (11-over) in route to tying for 20th overall. Gibson fired and opening round 78 (5-over) and a closing round 79 (6-over). Dorans opened with a 77 (4-over), which was tied for the lowest round shot by any Cowgirl, before closing with an 80 (7-over).
Placing third for Wyoming and in a tie for 32nd overall was junior Kathleen Kershisnik. She opened the tournament with an 83 (10-over) before closing six shots better and carding a 77 (5-over) in round two.
Next for the Cowgirls was sophomore Mackenzie Barrie who shot identical rounds of 82 (9-over) in route to a 164, which earned her a 37th place finish.
Rounding out the Cowgirl golfers was senior Samantha Stancato who finished tied for 41st. Stancato fired an opening round 79 (6-over) and a closing round 87 (14-over) for a total score of 166 (20-over).
Earning the first place crown was sophomore Rebecca Bostrom of CSU-Northridge who was the only golfer under par. She fired matching rounds of 72 (1-under) in route to finishing at 144 (2-under). Placing second was Northern Arizona’s junior Jacqiue LeMarr who finished up with a 146 (even). Tying for third were two Santa Clara teammates Meghan Shain, junior, and Kristin Le, freshman, who both shot 148s (2-over).
Taking home the team title were the Broncos of Santa Clara with a score of 600 (16-over). They lowered their first round score of 306 by 12 strokes in the second round. Placing second was the team of Northern Arizona who carded a 604 (20-over). Rounding out the top three was host Cal Poly with a score of 606 (22-over).
This wrapped up the fall schedule for the Cowgirls. Wyoming will now enter their winter hiatus. It will be the first winter where Wyoming golf will be able to use their state-of-the-art indoor facility. From the three hitting bays to the golf simulator Cowgirl golfers will able to improve their game during the cold winter months.
Wyoming’s will be back on the course at the Matador Invitational Feb. 9-10 in Simi Valley, Calif.
“We are a very athletic team and I would like to see us carry the confidence athletically to get stronger mentally in the winter,” Stender said.
