April 11, 2012
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CHANDLER, Ariz. — The University of Iowa women’s golf team was crowned champions of the Wyoming Cowgirl Classic on Wednesday in Chandler, Ariz. The Hawkeyes shot a final round 294 to finish with a three-round total of 884 (289-301-294, +20), the second-best 54-hole score in program history. Iowa last claimed a team tournament title at the Hawkeye Invitational on Sept. 13-14, 2010.
Iowa entered Wednesday’s third round trailing Colorado State by six strokes. The Rams finished second, recording a 54-hole score of 890 (292-292-306=890, +26).
“This win was such a great team effort,” said Megan Menzel about her first tournament championship as head coach at Iowa. “We are really excited to get this win. From the first tee shot to the last putt on the 18th, they came out ready to play.”
UI junior Kristi Cardwell finished in a career-best second place after firing a career-low 213 (68-70-75, -3). Her 213 tied teammate Chelsea Harris’ 54-hole school-record score. Cardwell’s previous career-best three-round total was a 218, set at the 2010 Challenge at Onion Creek. The Kokomo, Ind., native also set career-marks for 18-hole (68) and 36-hole (138) scores at the event. Her 36-hole score of 138 set a school record.
Freshmen Shelby Phillips and Lauren English both carded third round 72’s (E) en route to top-15 finishes. Phillips ended with a season-low 222 (73-77-72, +6) to tie for ninth place. It marked the first top-10 finish of her career. English shot a 223 (74-77-72, +7), placing tied for 12th. The 12th place tie was English’s best finish of the season. Her previous best was a 15th place tie at the Chip-N Club Invitational, the Hawkeyes first tournament of the season.
Senior Chelsea Harris fired a three-over 75 during the third round, posting her best round of the tournament. Harris moved 15 spots up the leaderboard in the final round, finishing tied for 32nd.
Sophomore Karly Grouwinkel concluded her first tournament in the Iowa lineup with a career-low 241 (74-84-86, +25).
Wyoming hosted the 24-team field at the 6,184 yard, par 72 Ocotillo Golf Resort.
The Hawkeyes return to action March 21-22 at the Lady Buckeye Invitational in Columbus, Ohio. It will be Iowa’s last tournament before the Big Ten Championships in French Lick, Ind., on April 27-29.
Team Results
1. Iowa – 289-301-294=884 (+20)
2. Colorado State – 292-292-306=890 (+26)
3. Portland State – 303-294-304=901 (+37)
Individual Results
1. Brianna Espinoza (Colorado State) – 68-68-72=208 (-8)
2. Kristi Cardwell (Iowa) – 68-70-75=213 (-3)
3. Julie Shutler (Sacramento State) – 74-72-71=217 (+1)
T9. Shelby Phillips (Iowa) – 73-77-72=222 (+6)
T12. Lauren English (Iowa) – 74-77-72=223 (+7)
T32. Chelsea Harris (Iowa) – 76-77-75=228 (+12)
T90. Karly Grouwinkel (Iowa) – 74-81-86=241 (+25)