The Iowa women’s golf team returned to action this week, hosting the Diane Thomason Invitational at Finkbine Golf Course from Sept 30-Oct 1. Iowa’s lineup included Paula Miranda, Ximena Benites, Maura Peters, Kaitlyn Hanna and Shannyn Vogler.
Despite spotty weather conditions during the final round, Iowa prevailed with a hard-fought victory, marking the program’s first tournament win in three years.
“You always want to win on your home turf. It felt really good to walk away with that,” head coach Megan Menzel said. “Our facility is just a special place and I love when people get to be a part of it.”
The competition, named after former Iowa women’s golf coach Diane Thomason, fielded a total of 15 teams. Other teams competing in the invitational included Wisconsin, Drake, and North Dakota State.
The tournament kicked off with a hot first day of play. After two rounds on Monday, Sept 30, the Hawkeyes ended the day with a 36-hole total of 587. The team shot a season low of 288 during the first round of play. After Sunday, the lineup was in first place, closely followed by Wisconsin.
Fourth-year phenom Miranda ended the day in first place, putting up 143, one stroke ahead of Texas-San Antonio’s Olivia Williams.
Second-year Peters shot a collegiate best of 69 during the first round on Monday, landing her in 16th place on the individual leaderboard ahead of the final round.
The second day of play was filled with unfavorable wind and frigid temperatures, a less than ideal situation for a round of golf. Each team struggled to adjust to the conditions, but Miranda stayed strong and tallied up a 79 to secure a second place finish.
The Hawkeyes haven’t played a home tournament since the aforementioned 2018 victory, and Miranda is grateful she earned the chance to play at Finkbine during her career.
“It was so much fun, especially to have this for my senior year,” Miranda said.
Montana State’s Becca Tschetter claimed the individual crown after tallying a 73 across all rounds of play.
“Women’s golf is evolving and we are all one big family,” Tscetter said in her postgame speech.
Up Next
The team will be headed to Miami to compete in the Hurricane Invitational on Oct 28-29, marking the last event of the fall season.