Sept. 28, 2015
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The University of Iowa women’s golf team is third in the 18-team field following the first two rounds of the eighth annual Johnie Imes Invitational. The Hawkeyes posted scores of 282 and 289 on the first 36 holes at The Club at Old Hawthorn golf course for a total of 571 (-5).
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“The golf course is playing very nicely,” said head coach Megan Menzel. “There are a lot of birdies to be had and we knew that coming in. It was great to see them execute.”
The team’s five-under-par 571 is the best 36-hole team performance since the Hawkeyes posted a 584 at the Challenge at Onion Creek in 2009.
Mizzou leads the field (549; -27), while Middle Tennessee sits in second (568; -8).
Senior Amy Ihm paced the Hawkeyes with a two-round total of 138 (-6; 68, 70), making six birdies in her first round and four in her second. She is tied for third heading into the final round. Ihm’s score — a career best– also ties the program record for individual performance for 36 holes previously set by Kristi Cardwell in 2012.
“I am so proud of Amy for having such a great day,” said Menzel. “We have been waiting for that breakthrough and we knew she had it in her. It is very exciting for her to break that record.”
Sophomore Elisa Suarez recorded the second-best finish on day one for Iowa. She posted a two-round 141 (-3), registering rounds of 71 (-1) and 70 (-2). Suarez made par on 26 holes and added six birdies in two rounds of action. She is currently tied for eighth.
Sophomore Jessica Ip also had a strong day for the Hawkeyes, carding a two-round 144 (E), posting rounds of 70 (-2) and 74 (+2). She made par on 10 holes and birdied holes three, nine, 10, 12, and 13 in round one before making par on 10 holes and birding holes 10, 15 and 16 in round two. She currently sits tied for 15th.
Rounding out the Hawkeyes are junior Jessie Sindlinger and senior Briana Midkiff, who are tied for 41st (+5; 73, 76) and 75th (+12; 81, 75), respectively.
“We came here to compete,” said Menzel. “I think we are capable of playing even better than we did today. We just have to take it one shot at a time and look for those birdies out there.”
The final round of the Johnie Imes Invitational will conclude with an 8:30 a.m. (CT) shotgun start on Tuesday. Live scoring is available at BirdieFire.com.
