IU wins Fall Kickoff

The IU women’s golf team won the IU Fall Kickoff this weekend, shooting a tournament-record score of 590.

Sophomore Elizabeth Tong was the individual champion, recording a total score of 145 in two rounds.

“I just think there was great play all around,” IU Coach Clint Wallman said. “I think the best thing about it was the number of low scores we had from top to bottom in the line-up. Everyone, for the most part, played really well.”

Wallman said IU’s depth was its strength in this tournament, especially on Sunday. The IU A-team’s highest individual score was a 75.

“If you can throw out a 75, that’s good stuff,” Wallman said. “I was very pleased with their play today.”

Senior Rosie Davies shot a tournament-low round score of 70 on Sunday to finish at 146 and move into a tie for second place with senior teammate Pamela Burneski.

Davies won the tournament last season in its inaugural year.

Tong delivered both days, shooting the best score Saturday, 72, and a 73 on Sunday to seal the victory. It was the first tournament win of her collegiate career.

“I was a little nervous on the first hole yesterday, but I’d been playing pretty well the past two weeks, so I didn’t think it would be too bad,” Tong said. “I played a lot of provincial and national tournaments back home in Canada to help my game.”

Tong said she was pleased with each aspect of her game except her driving.

“That got me into trouble today,” she said. “There were a couple that were really well left.”

Tong was joined by fresh faces. Five of IU’s 11 golfers made their debut in this tournament, and Wallman said they exceeded his expectations.

“I was very impressed with all the newcomers,” Wallman said. “They all played really well. Our freshmen were great. Kristen Schelling really showed up. We got a lot of strong play from everyone on the board.”

The Hoosiers will compete next in the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational Sept. 17-18 in Albuquerque, N.M.

“Necessarily, I don’t think our performance today is going to change anything for Albuquerque,” Wallman said. “We just shot some really good numbers, so I don’t see any reason to switch anything up. If it’s going the right direction, we want to stay with it.”