Heading into the final round of the Westbrook Invitational, IU womens golf had a chance to get its second consecutive top-five finish dating back to the fall season.
Scores of 285 and 281 in the first two rounds of play had the Hoosiers in fifth place, but a 287 in the third round resulted in a seventh place finish.
“The course played much more difficult,” IU Coach Clint Wallman said. "The hole locations were tougher and the wind was up a little bit. It’s an 18-hole day after a 36-hole day, which I think is the toughest because you’re mentally worn out.”
Despite the inability to earn a top-five finish, IU has now finished in the top ten of every tournament in the fall and spring season.
For the first time this season, IU had its best statistical lineup playing together in the same tournament. Freshman Priscilla Schmid was the only Hoosier in the top ten, however, three IU golfers finished in the top 25.
“For qualifying not everyone did as well as we were supposed to, but once we got here then we really focused in the practice round and made sure we were all playing smart,” Schmid said. “The interaction between every single player was very good and that really helps us stay positive and focused.”
For Schmid, this was her second consecutive top 10 finish, dating back to the Ladies Fall Intercollegiate Invitational to close out the fall season.
“I’ve been working a lot for this, and I’m very excited that I finally was able to play a good game,” Schmid said.
One key to IU posting low scores in the first two rounds was the success on the par-3s. Despite the seventh place finish overall, the Hoosiers ranked third on the short holes.
“We’ve got a lot of really good ball strikers,” Wallman said. “Our team is probably one of the best ball-striking teams I’ve had. It’s just a matter of converting some of those gifts that we give ourselves.”
IU was one of six Big Ten teams in the tournament, and finished fourth among their conference foes.
“Big Ten golf is good and getting better every day,” Wallman said. “Any Big Ten team can compete at a high level.”
The Westbrook Invitational in Peoria, Arizona, was the first spring tournament for IU. The Hoosiers will now have a week off before heading to Fresno, California, for Fresno State Classic.
