Vandal women’s golf started their season this weekend at the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational, where Idaho Head Coach Lisa Ferrero made her first appearance.
The weekend might not have ended the way Ferrero planned for her debut, with the team finishing in a tie for last place.
After the top two seniors in the program graduating last year, Idaho is now lead by the All-Big Sky junior Valeria Patino. Patino is followed by sophomore Eddie Hsu. Experienced seniors Danika Palm and Laura Gerner are followed by Sophomore Vicky Tsai.
Patino led the Vandals shooting a 2-under 70 individually. Tsai followed behind her, finishing with a 3-over 75. Tsai birdied only three holes and her bogeys for the day brought her out of even territory.
Hsu and Gerner both finished the day with 4-over 76 to put the team at a 297 for the first round.
Round two proved difficult for Idaho with no players shooting under par or even with par.
Patino again lead the team shooting a 2-over 74 with Hsu and Tsai close behind both shooting a 3-over 75. Gerner and Palm both shot 4-over 77 bringing the team total for round two at a 303.
The final round seemed to be the most challenging for Idaho this past weekend.
Gerner shot a 7-over 79 with Tsai and Palm both closely following with an 8-over 80 to finish off the third round.
Idaho finished in a tie for 14th place, with Colorado State at the bottom of the leaderboard for its first tournament.
The Vandals season with their new head coach can only go up from here.
Despite the rough start, Ferrero is the perfect coach to turn the early part of this season around, as she is known as a guru of turning around struggling golf programs.
Idaho is set to play in the WSU Cougar Cup Monday and Tuesday in Pullman, Washington.
Connor Swersey can be reached at [email protected]