Golf team tees off season at CCU

Out of 13 teams, the Eagles finished 11th at the season opener in Littleton, Colorado, this week.

With an opening round of 364 and a 342 on the final round, the Eagles carded a final score of 706. The winning team, Metropolitan State University of Denver, finished with 614. The team had some first day struggles but Coach Terri Connealy was pleased with the way the team rallied back.

“With only three returning players, we didn’t have a lot of experience,” she said. “However, we improved by 22 strokes on the second day. I was proud of the way the younger players improved and the way we bounced back as a team.”

Emma Harris, junior of Wahoo, and Kelli Haynes, freshman of Whitney, carded a 172 and 173, respectively. Mikayla Gallagher, redshirt freshman of Lead, South Dakota, scored 197. Karson Langley, freshman of Sidney, and Danielle Brennan, sophomore of Ellsworth, tallied 211 and 217.

Schulyer Wetzel, junior of Hot Springs, South Dakota, had the team’s lowest score of 164.

“Overall, I think the team did very well for the first meet. With continued practice, we should keep improving,” Wetzel said. “I struggled with my short game, so I’m going to focus a lot of my practice towards that. I’m looking forward to next week, I should have an advantage being on my own course. I just need to play it one shot at a time.”

The Eagles will host a tournament at Southern Hills Golf Course in Hot Springs, South Dakota, starting Sept. 22.