EAST LANSING, Mich.- The Western Michigan women's golf team had its best ever finish at the Mary Fossum Invitational, placing fifth this past weekend with a 54-hole total of 56-over 920. The Broncos had never finished higher than 10th place at the highly competitive event, hosted yearly by Michigan State at the Forest Akers Golf Course.
This year's outing was played on the par 72/6,236 yards West Golf Course.
Western Michigan shot a opening round of 311 and a second round of 303 on Saturday and closed out the invitational with a round of 306 on Sunday.
Notre Dame won the event for the second straight year, carding a 23-over 887. Michigan State finished second with a 37-over 901, followed by Toledo in third (38-over 902) and Tulane (45-over 909). The Broncos took fifth ahead of Eastern Michigan, Grand Valley, Akron, Ohio, Oakland, Ferris State and Central Michigan.
Toledo's Sathika Ruenreong birdied two of her final three holes to capture medalist honors, finishing at even-par 216 (75-69-72).
The Broncos were led individually by freshman Sarah White who was competing in her first collegiate event. White carded a top-15 finish, placing 11th with a 10-over 226 (78-73-75). White's round of 73 Saturday was the best for Western Michigan over the weekend. Fellow freshman Claire Hernandez and junior Kaitlyn Watkins each finished in the top 20, tying for 19th at 13-over 229.
"I'm very pleased how we started the year," said second-year WMU head coach Stacy Snider. "I thought the freshmen handled their first collegiate event very well on the hardest course we will see all year. Shooting 306 today with only four players tells me we can handle adversity and the team believes in each other."
Junior Anna Wilcoxson had to withdraw from the field Sunday due to illness leaving Western Michigan with only four golfers in its lineup, with all four scores counting. Senior Chlow Lawie competed as an individual.
Next up for Western Michigan is the Ball State Cardinal Classic, Sept. 21-22, followed by the Mid-American Conference Fall Preview at Eastern Michigan on Oct. 11. Western Michigan concludes the fall with the University of Arkansas-Little Rock Golf Classic on Nov. 1.
WMU Individual Scores
T11. Sarah White, 78-73-75--226 (+10)
T19. Kaitlyn Watkins,78-77-74--229 (+13)
T19. Claire Hernandez, 74-74-81--229 (+13)
30. *Chloe Lawrie, 80-76-78--234 (+20)
36. Julia Champion, 81-79-76--236 (+17)
WD. Anna Wilcoxson, 82-79-WD
* competed as individual
Team Standings
1. Notre Dame 297-292-298=887 (+23); 2. Michigan State 300-297-304=901 (+37); 3. Toledo 311-294-297=902 (+38); 4. Tulane 301-292-316=909 (+45); 5. Western Michigan 311-303-306=920 (+56); 6. Eastern Michigan 311-311-317=939 (+75); 7. Grand Valley State 318-309-313=940 (+76); 8. Akron 314-306-324=944 (+80); 9. Ohio 316-318-312=946 (+82); 10. Oakland 315-315-327=957 (+93); 11. Ferris State 320-328-337=985 (+121); 12. Central Michigan 332-335-343=1010 (+146)
