April 29, 2012
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FRENCH LICK, Ind. — The University of Iowa women’s golf team finished play at the Big Ten Championships on Sunday in French Lick, Ind. The Hawkeyes placed 10th with a 54-hole score of 929 (319-301-309, +65).
“We definitely saw some areas of improvement,” said head coach Megan Menzel. “I was thrilled with the way Chelsea (Harris) played all three days. She fought really fought hard and had a great senior performance”
Senior Chelsea Harris tied for seventh, one position from being named to the All-Championships team. Harris became the first Iowa student-athlete to place in the top 10 at the conference tournament since Tyrette Metzendorf took third place at the 2009 Big Ten Championships. It was Harris’ best career finish at the Big Ten Championships, besting a 41st place finish in 2011 as a junior. The Normal, Ill., native posted three top 10 finishes this season.
Harris fired an even par 72 during the third and final round. She used three birdies, including back-to-back birdies on holes six and seven, en route to a two under 34 on the front nine. Harris carded a 36-hole score of 142 between the second and third rounds, her best two round total of the season. Harris’ previous best was a 143 at the Westbrook Spring Invitational on Feb. 26-27. Harris ended the event with a 54-hole score of 220 (78-70-72, +4).
“It was really neat to see her peak at the right time this season towards the end,” said Menzel. “She really started to play well and was very consistent, striking the ball and putting. It was great to watch.”
Junior Kristi Cardwell shot her second straight round of 76 (+4) on Saturday to bring her three round total to 234 (82-76-76, +18). Cardwell went one under (35) on the front nine during the third round, as she fired birdies on holes three and five.
Fellow junior Gigi DiGrazia and freshman Lauren English both posted third round 81’s (+9). DiGrazia tied for 55th place with a 240 (81-78-81, +24), while English placed 62nd with a 244 (79-84-81, +28).
Shelby Phillips ended her freshman campaign by shooting a 242 (81-77-84, +26) over the three round event. Phillips tied for 59th.
Sophomore Karly Grouwinkel fired an 80 (+8), her best round at the Big Ten Championships, on Sunday. She completed the Iowa scorecard with a 54-hole score of 271 (104-87-80, +55).
Michigan State won the team title with an 885 (298-292-295, +21). Purdue’s Laura Gonzales was the individual champion after carding an even 216 (78-69-69).
The Big Ten Championships were played at the 6,156-yard, par 72 Donald Ross Course at the French Lick Resort in French Lick, Ind.
The conference tournament was the Hawkeyes last competition of the 2011-2012 season, wrapping up Menzel’s first season as head coach.
“I think we improved a ton,” said Menzel. “We made some gains on and off the course and look forward to improving.”
Team Results
1. Michigan State – 298-292-295=885 (+21)
2. Purdue – 310-294-291=895 (+31)
3. Ohio State – 298-297-303=898 (+34)
10. Iowa – 319-301-309=929 (+65)
Individual Results
1. Laura Gonzalez (Purdue) – 78-69-69=216 (E)
2. Yugene Lee (Michigan) – 75-72-70=217 (+1)
T3. Madeleine Sheils (Nebraska) – 76-71-71=218 (+2)
T3. Caroline Powers (Michigan State) – 72-73-73=218 (+2)
T3. Lindsey Solberg (Michigan State) – 73-70-75=218 (+2)
T3. Rachel Rohanna (Ohio State) – 74-71-73=218 (+2)
T7. Chelsea Harris (Iowa) – 78-70-72=220 (+4)
T32. Kristi Cardwell (Iowa) – 82-76-76=234 (+18)
T55. Gigi DiGrazia (Iowa) – 81-78-81=240 (+24)
T59. Shelby Phillips (Iowa) – 81-77-84=242 (+26)
62. Lauren English (Iowa) – 79-84-81=244 (+28)
72. Karly Grouwinkel (Iowa) – 104-87-80=271 (+55)