It was a positive return to the Palouse for the Idaho women’s golf team that took third at the WSU Cougar Cup, on Monday and Tuesday in Pullman. Washington State won its home tournament with a 10 over par.
After finishing in last place at their previous tournament at the prestigious Minikahda Club in Minneapolis, Minn., the Vandals came to Pullman hoping for redemption at the Palouse
Ridge Golf Club.
“The course we played last week, we never played it before, it was really different and pretty hard,” said Idaho junior Leilanie Kim, who finished seventh overall, with a seven over par. “Palouse (Ridge) is our home course, we play it a lot and that made it easier.”
Kim is enjoying a stellar season, thus far. Now through her first three tournaments, she has a fifth place, 18th place, and seventh-place finish. She has been the top Vandal in each tournament, thus far. Still, Kim sees
room for improvement.
“I was swinging it really well. I need to make a lot more putts, though,” Kim said.
Kim wasn’t the only one enjoying being back at Palouse Ridge. Cassie McKinley and Kaitlyn Oster finished tied for 12th with 12 over par. Amy Hasenoehrl finished tied for 23rd with 19 over par and Rachel Choi finished 53rd with a 29 over par to round out the Idaho’s
scoring top five.
Idaho also had players competing as individuals who enjoyed a good tournament, as well. Kristin Strankman finished tied for 31st with 21 over par, Kassidy Long-Goheen finished tied for 37th with 22 over par and Mary Sweeney tied for 58th with 32 over par.
The Vandals showed some grit the last day of the tournament, battling the weather in addition to their opponents. Despite the rain and wind, they ended up jumping ahead a position from fourth to third to finish out the tournament.
“Pretty much everyone improved and fought through it, and we ended up getting third instead of fourth” Kim said.
The women’s golf team closed out September on a good note and will look to build off their performance heading into October, when they will benefit from the warmer weather they are traveling to.
Next up for the Vandals is the Price’s Give ‘Em Five Intercollegiate in Las Cruces, N.M.. To close out the month, they will head to the desert in Las Vegas to compete in the Las Vegas
Collegiate Showdown.
Expectations haven’t diminished moving forward for the Vandals.
“Winning would be nice,” Kim said.
Korbin McDonald
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