Solid individual scores help Iowa women’s golf to its first tournament victory in more than two years.

By Jake Mosbach
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After the Iowa women’s golf team had secured the victory in the Diane Thomason Invitational on Sunday, the team members shared laughter and plenty of hugs around the clubhouse at Finkbine Golf Course for a good reason.

The Hawkeyes had just earned the first team title in nearly two-and-a-half years.

Surprisingly, the team’s victory in the season-opener was their first since April 2012, when the Hawkeyes took the title at the Wyoming Cowgirl Classic.

“Anytime you win a college golf tournament, it’s a big deal,” said head coach Megan Menzel. “To come out in the first event of the season and beat 11 other good teams is a great way to start.

“Our team is playing consistently in practice, and for them to bring it to the tournament, that is great to see.”

But perhaps more important than the team title were the confidence-building individual performances by members of Menzel’s young group of golfers.

Sophomore Jessica Ip captured the tournament’s individual title, and she broke a record in the process. Her 54-hole score of 212 broke the Iowa women’s golf three-round record by 1 stroke.

“It was a very impressive performance,” Menzel said. “I have no doubt that Jessica will break that mark again. This is only the beginning for her.”

Menzel said Ip’s fantastic play over the weekend should provide a springboard for the rest of her golfers to improve.

“It’s always good to have something to shoot for, and I know Jessica’s performance will motivate the whole team,” Menzel said.

After the win, Ip credited Menzel and her assistant coaches with keeping her relaxed and focused during Sunday’s final round, at that point unaware of her record-breaking play.

Sophomore Anna Kim also had a shining performance competing as an unattached individual. She had a career-best finish of 10th after shooting an 11-over 227.

“I am so happy for Anna,” Menzel said. “She is such a hard worker, and it’s great to see her have a good tournament.”

While Kim wasn’t in the team’s five-golfer lineup this weekend, Menzel said that the group will continue to hold tournament qualifications and that Kim stands a great chance to make the lineup in the near future.

Two of the Hawks’ youngest also impressed observers this weekend. Freshmen Kristin Glesne (233) and Monika Poomcharoen (234) tied for 29th and 34th, respectively, in their first true college golf test.

“I’m really impressed with Monika and Kristin … they understand team golf, and I like the composure that I saw this weekend,” Menzel said.

“Coach always tells us to not have any expectations because that’ll put unnecessary pressure on us,” Glesne said. “They’re [college golfers] better than the high-school players I’m used to, which is good, because it’ll push me to get better.”

Even with the stellar individual play and team victory this past weekend, don’t expect Menzel or the Hawkeyes to lose focus on the Sept. 28 Johnie Imes Invitational in Columbia, Missouri.“There will definitely be some celebrating,” Menzel said. “ But we already have our eyes set on the next tournament.“