Oct. 13, 2015
PINEHURST, N.C. — The University of Iowa women’s golf team concluded its fall season at the Pinehurst Challenge on Tuesday afternoon, tying for fourth in the 19-team field. The Hawkeyes posted a 300 (+12) on the final 18 holes at Pinehurst Resort’s Course No. 1 to finish with a 54-hole team score of 873 (+9; 288, 285, 300).
 |
East Carolina won the team race (-7; 857), followed by Chattanooga (-1; 863) in second and Elon in third (+2; 866).
“Today was a tough day for us,” said UI head coach Megan Menzel. “We struggled on the greens and could not get the momentum going. It was a great opportunity for us to be in the final pairing and I know we learned a lot. The fall has been very successful and we look forward to the spring season.”
Senior Amy Ihm and sophomore Elisa Suarez led the way for the Hawkeyes throughout the two-day tournament. Ihm carded a 75 (+3) on the final 18 holes to finish with a total of 218 (+2). The senior made par on seven holes and added birdies on holes two, 12, 16 and 18 in the third round.
“We had a tough day out there,” said Ihm. “We got off to a good start but didn’t pull it together throughout the rest of the round.”
Suarez tied for 20th with Ihm after carding a 75 (+3) in the final round for a total of 218 (+2). Suarez made par on 11 holes and recorded birdies on holes two and 18 in her final round.
“It was a good finish to the fall season overall,” said Suarez. “We wish we could have made a better last round, because we know we had the potential to win the tournament.”
Junior Jessie Sindlinger posted the second best finish for Iowa, carding a 76 (+4) in the final round for a three-round total to 219 (+3). She posted an impressive 43 holes at or below par — including two eagles — over the course of the tournament to tie for 29th.
Sophomore Jessica Ip and freshman Kristin Glesne each carded a final round 75 (+3) to tie for 37th. Ip posted rounds of 75 and 71 and 75 for a total of 221 (+5). The sophomore registered an impressive 41 holes at or below par over the course of the tournament.
After firing a career-best one-under-par 71 in the second round, Glesne carded a final round 75 (+3), matching her first round total. The freshman made par on 33 holes with eight birdies in three rounds of action.
“Although we didn’t finish off the fall the way we hoped, we have come a long way and have no intentions of slowing down,” said Ihm. “We know what we are capable of and we’re going to build on that this offseason and continue to get better.”
The Hawkeyes open the spring season on Feb. 21-22, when they travel to Peoria, Ariz., for the Westbrook Spring Invite.
