Ferris State Women's Golf Wins Tournament In Daytona Beach

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's golf team began its spring season on a winning note as the Bulldogs captured the team championship in the Southwest Minnesota State Spring Invitational held at the LPGA International Hills Legends Course in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The Bulldogs held a six-stroke lead after Thursday's (March 13) opening day of competition in the two-round event and stretched the advantage in the final round on Friday (March 14) as FSU won the tournament by 15 strokes.

Ferris State followed up its opening-day 337 team score with a 330 figure on Friday to finish at 667 (+91) for the event on the par 72 course measuring 5,820 yards. The total finished ahead of second-place Minnesota State, which posted a 682 total (+106) to earn runner-up honors in the six-team event.

Southwest Minnesota State came in third (684) followed by Winona State (Minn.) in fourth place (707), St. Mary's College (Ind.) in fifth (716) and Harding (Ark.) rounding out the field in sixth place (726).

Individually, the Bulldogs' Jacqueline Mulder placed third with a +18 total or 162 score on rounds of 83 and 79 over the two days, respectively. She was only a single stroke behind Minnesota State's Kenya Sethasompobe and Dana Wagner of SMSU, who both shot 161 totals (+17).

Ferris State's Libby Berens came in fifth overall at +22 or 166 with scores of 82 Thursday and 84 on Friday. Behind her was Elizabeth Bauernfeind, who shot a 170 score (+26) with rounds of 84 and 86 to place tied for seventh in the field.

Senior Ashley Swanson tied for 10th at 172 (+28) as she fired a 82 on Friday after an opening-day score of 90 on Thursday. Next in line was senior Emily Rohdy in 12th place at 173 (+29) with scores of 88 and 85 overall.

Finally, Kelsey McKinley came in 13th in the field with a two-round total of 174 (+30) as she recorded an 88 in round one followed by an 86 in the second round while competing as an individual in the field.

Overall, the Bulldogs' six competitors in the event were seperated by only 12 strokes and all six placed among the top 13 finishers in the 37-player tournament.

Ferris State captured its second tournament championship of the season by winning the event as FSU previously won the University of Indianapolis Fall Invitational in September. FSU also finished second overall in three different events during the fall season.

The Bulldogs will return to action on March 22-23 at the Perry Park Spring Fling event, which will be held in Perry Park, Ky.