Indiana women’s golf finished 17th out of 18 teams at the Chattanooga Classic at the Council Fire Golf Club in Chattanooga, Tennessee, from April 2-4.
The Hoosiers found themselves in last place after a poor first round. Indiana’s history of poor starts reared its ugly head once again as they shot the worst score out of all 18 teams at 325 (+37). That score was seven strokes off 17th place Middle Tennessee State University and 37 strokes back of first place Southern Methodist University.
“We just weren’t focused in that first round,” head coach Brian May said. “It’s an issue that we have had since the fall, and we have to find a way to get over it.”
Despite being without top scorer Alexis Florio, who was dealing with an injury, the Hoosiers improved in the second round, improving their score by 15 strokes to finish the round at 310 (+22). Indiana remained at the bottom until the third round as it finished strong with a score of 298 (+10) which got it out of the cellar. The Hoosiers finished the tournament with a final score of 933 (+69) which was good for 17th.
No. 28 SMU won the tournament with an impressive score of 850 (-14). That score was 20 strokes better than second place Xavier University. Host University of Tennessee at Chattanooga finished just ahead of the Hoosiers with a final score of 919 (+55).
“It was good to see us show some fight and resolve in those final two rounds,” May explained. “It was a solid ending, but we can’t put ourselves in those early holes and expect to be competitive.”
Junior Dominika Burdova led the Hoosiers, finishing tied for 45th with a total score of 227 (+11). Next was senior Hanna Tanaka who finished tied for 71st with a score of 234 (+18), while Sophomore Beatriz Junqueira finished tied for 74th with a score of 235 (+19). The Hoosiers were rounded out by Sophomore Margaret Fernandez and Senior Valerie Clancy who both finished tied for 84th with scores of 241 (+25).
IU will play its next match at the Lady Buckeye Invitational at the OSU Scarlet Course in Columbus, Ohio, from April 15-16.
Follow reporter Zeke Shapiro (@ZekesBoxTalk) for updates throughout the Indiana women’s golf season.
