Four in a Row for Navy and Gold
William Penn Women’s Golf 2014
Booneville, Mo.–Guided by three individuals on the all-tourney team, the Statesmen women’s golf squad kept its winning streak very much alive at the Central Methodist Eagle Open Tuesday.
Monday’s opening round was cancelled due to poor weather, shortening the event to 27 holes on Tuesday. William Penn won its fourth-straight event by heading the six-team field with a 27-hole score of 463 (313-150) at the par-72 Hail Ridge Golf Course.
While the 18-hole school record of 307 was challenged, it was the 36-year-old 9-hole mark that actually fell Tuesday. WPU bettered the old record of 166 by 16 strokes.
Demi Coertze (So., Johannesburg, South Africa, Digital Communication) remains the hottest member of the scorching squad, tying for first for the third time in four events. The sophomore posted a 111 (75-36) to share medalist honors, but lost in a scorecard playoff.
“Demi had another very solid showing,” Head Coach Nik Rule said. “She is really playing spirited golf right now.”
Coertze was joined on the five-person all-tournament team by fellow varsity members Courtney Cunningham (Fr., Muskogee, Okla., Computer Science) and Jing Yang (Fr., Woodland Hills, Calif., Biology). Cunningham was third at 114 (76-38) and Yang was fifth at 118 (79-39).
“I have been pleased with the way Courtney has competed the last few weeks,” Rule said. “She has really shown dedication in carrying a positive state of mind throughout the entire round and is contributing at a high level because of it.”
Maggie Yang (Jr., Chino, Calif., Business Management), at 120 (83-37), and Alexandria Eckenrod (Jr., Mason City, Iowa, Elementary Education), at 132 (87-45), rounded out the varsity lineup.
William Penn’s varsity reserve squad placed third at 510 (342-168). Ashley Manhnieo (Jr., Las Vegas, Nev., Business Management) was the fourth WPU player to be named to the all-tournament team, matching Jing Yang by finishing at 118 (79-39).
Alexi Rule (Fr., Idaho Falls, Idaho, Education) was next at 128 (89-39), while Carly Schmalz (Fr., Buffalo Lake, Minn., History/Government) finished at 131 (84-47). Natalie Booton (So., Mount Pleasant, Elementary Education) carded a 90 in the first round (nine-hole score unknown), while Lindsay Dorn (So., Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Elementary Education) concluded the scoring at 152 (106-46).
“It was nice to see Ashley Manhnieo and Alexi Rule post the scores that they did,” Rule said. “Both have been battling some recent struggles on the course this spring and I believe their results will help them turn things around.”
“I am very proud of all of our players,” Rule added. “Our varsity played very well and our varsity reserve competed at a high level as well. Our players handled all 27 holes with a certain sense of resiliency. We had our best week of practice last week and that hard work certainly paid off. If we can replicate that hard work in the coming two weeks, we will benefit greatly.”
Next: William Penn has one more event before competing for league hardware at the end of the month. The team will travel to Riverside next Monday to take on MCC foe AIB in a dual at Blue Top Ridge Golf Course.
