By Jess Westendorf
The Iowa women’s golf team placed 10th at the Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, North Carolina, this past weekend.
“I am really proud of the progress our team has made this fall,” said head coach Megan Menzel in a release. “We have made steady improvement, and this was a great experience for us this week to compete against the best teams in the country.”
Wake Forest tied for first place with South Carolina, both recording tournament scores of 859 (5-under). Following behind them was Furman in third, scoring a final score of 866.
After Iowa recorded a first round score of 297 (9-over), it bounced back during the second round with a 293. The team finished the third round with a 297 to land it to a 10th-place 887.
Freshman Sophie Liu did not disappoint the Hawkeyes, recording the best finish on the team. She recorded rounds of 74, 71, and 76 to give her a final score of 221 (5-over) to set her lowest 54-hole score.
She also recorded a career best during the second round. She was consistent over the weekend; she made par on 11 holes and sunk birdies on holes 10 and 17 to tie for 25th place.
Morgan Kukla had the second-best finish for the Hawkeyes, tying for 33rd place. She posted a 224, a new career 54-hole low, improving 3 strokes from her previous mark. The junior also posted rounds of 73, 79, and 72, beating her previous 18-hole low of 74.
“Morgan has worked so hard and continues to improve,” said Menzel in a release. “She had a big week with her two best rounds as a Hawkeye.”
Tying for 37th overall, Jessica Ip followed behind with a 225. Over the course of the tournament, Ip improved her round score by a stroke each day —76, 75, and 74. She finished with 16 holes at or below par, with birdies on holes 4, 6, and 12.
Senior Jessie Sindlinger and sophomore Shawn Rennegarbe rounded out the Hawkeyes’ lineup, with both scoring three-round scores of 227 to give them a tie for 52nd.
Sindlinger recorded rounds of 80, 72, and 75. During the third round, the senior sunk 14 holes at par and birdies on holes 13 and 14. Rennegarbe posted rounds of 74, 75, and 78 while making par on 12 holes and recording birdies on holes 3 and 12 during Sunday’s final round.
The Hawkeyes will return to action for their spring slate Feb. 20-21 at the Central District Challenge in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
“It has been great to see this team come together this fall, and they are looking forward to continuing to improve during the off-season,” said Menzel in a release. “I know they will be ready together to have a strong spring season.”
