PRATTVILLE, Ala. – Following its season opener in Florida, Western Illinois women’s golf developed two specific priorities – making short game adjustments and becoming more comfortable as a whole. Taking a swing at their second showing in 2021, the Leathernecks found confidence early on from a strong start and would not look back. The result? A team title to finish off Monday afternoon at the 2021 Alabama State Spring Classic. WIU shot 315 in its opening-round score and posted 965 (+35) overall.
“I was happy to see us hang onto the lead today with some challenging conditions and the wind,” WIU Director of Golf Lia Biehl Lukkarinen noted. “It was great to see our first-year, RileyHansen, crack the top five in only her second tournament. Cassidy Jurkaites consistently put out competitive scores.”
One of the youngest in attendance, Hansen helped steady the way with 239 (+6) – tied with Jurkaites for fourth-best of all participants. After a stellar first-place performance on Sunday, Abbie Gault ended at six (243), and Katie Tanner tied for seventh (245). Natalie Hooper rounded out the starting lineup with 256 (+15).
This team title is Western’s first since Oct. 2016, when it won the Creighton Classic in Omaha, Neb.
WIU has the next few weeks off from play until the Panther Relays Spring Invitational, hosted by Prairie View A&M. The tournament will tee off March 15-16.
***Recap courtesy of WIU Athletics***
