Feb. 27, 2012
PEORIA, Ariz. — The University of Iowa women’s golf set a new school record score for 54-holes Monday at the Westbrook Invitational in Peoria, Ariz. The Hawkeyes finished the event with an 879 (290-294-295, +15), breaking the previous mark of 888 set at the Challenge at Onion Creek on Nov. 2-3, 2009. Iowa finished the Westbrook Spring Invitational tied for fifth out of 12 teams.
“We had great team play this week and were much more consistent,” said head coach Megan Menzel. “It was a great finish by Chelsea (Harris), which really helped us down the stretch. We are looking forward to 10 days of hard work. We will continue fine-tuning our games before we head to Hawaii.”
All five Hawkeyes included in the lineup set season-best 54-hole scores.
Senior Chelsea Harris fired a season-low 70 (-2) that included five birdies during the final round, bringing her 54-hole total to 217 (74-73-70, +1). Harris’ 217 tied the second-best 54-hole score in program history. Her combined second and third round score of 143 tied the second-best 36-hole in school history. Harris holds the school records for 36-hole score (140) and the 54-hole score (213). The Normal, Ill., native finished the tournament tied for 12th, a season-best.
Freshman Lauren English and junior Gigi DiGrazia ended tied for 21st after they both carded 221’s (+5). English and DiGrazia both had two birdies during the final round. Freshman Shelby Phillips posted a 224 (73-76-75, +8) while playing in her home state. The Gilbert, Ariz., tied for 36th place. Junior Kristi Cardwell finished a stroke behind Phillips at 225 (71-79-75, +9) to finish in a tied for 39th, while freshman Nicole Rae competed as an individual in her collegiate debut, finishing with a 254 (85-81-88, +38).
Big Ten rival Illinois (288-282-283=853, -11) claimed the tournament title. Wisconsin hosted the event at the 6,178-yard, par 72 Vistas Course at the Westbrook Village Golf Club.
The Hawkeyes return to the links on March 13-14, when they will compete in the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational in Oahu, Hawaii.
Team Results
1. Illinois – 288-282-283=853 (-11)
2. Texas Tech – 293-279-284=856 (-8)
3. Washington State – 288-291-287=866 (+2)
4. Kansas State – 297-289-288=874 (+10)
T5. Iowa – 290-294-295=879 (+15)
T5. Indiana – 287-294-298=879 (+15)
Individual Results
1. Nora Lucas (Illinois) – 70-67-68=205 (-11)
T2. Gabriella Dominquez (Texas Tech) – 71-66-70=207 (-9)
T2. Kimberly Kaufman (Texas Tech) – 74-66-67=207 (-9)
T12. Chelsea Harris (Iowa) – 74-73-70=217 (+1)
T21. Lauren English (Iowa) – 74-71-76=221 (+5)
T21. Gigi DiGrazia (Iowa) – 72-74-75=221 (+5)
T36. Shelby Phillips (Iowa) – 73-76-75=224 (+8)
T39. Kristi Cardwell (Iowa) – 71-79-75=225 (+9)
65. Nicole Rae (Iowa) – 85-81-88=254 (+38)