Washington University Women’s Golf Wins Illinois College Spring Invitational

RESULTS

Jacksonville, Ill, April 3, 2011 – The No. 5 ranked Washington University in St. Louis women's golf team won its second team title of the year, capturing top honors at the Illinois College Spring Invitational, held Saturday-Sunday, April 2-3, in Jacksonville, Ill.

Washington University led the two-day tournament from start to finish, completing the 36 holes of play with a 686 (333-353). The Bears finished 12 strokes ahead of No. 11 ranked Illinois Wesleyan (342-356, 698) and 32 strokes in front of No. 12 ranked North Central College (348-370, 718).

“Anytime you play in 20 mile per hour wind with gusts up to 40 mph, teams will tested,” said third-year head coach Sean Curtis. “I continue to say that we have a tough squad this year. We maybe young, but we are learning what it takes to win. That was an important win because we faced two teams ranked in the top-15.

Washington University was paced by sophomore Hannah Buck and freshman Andrea Hibbert, who tied for medalist honors with a two-day score of 165 (80-85). The victory for Buck was the seventh of her career, while Hibbert picked up the first individual title in her rookie season.

Freshman Allyson Chee tied for seventh place with a 177 (85-92), while sophomore Melanie Walsh tied for 12th with a 181 (90-91). Freshman Marcy Koonce rounded out the Bears lineup with a 182 (88-94), good for 14th place.

Washington U. entered a second team in the field, and finished in seventh place after shooting a 774 (379-395). Junior Katie Homa (92-94, 186, T-18th place), junior Sarah Miller (94-94, 188, T-24th place), senior Kate Pettinato (91-103, 194, 29th place) and senior Caroline Larose (102-104, 206, T-39th place) competed for the Green squad.

Washington University returns to action on Saturday-Sunday, April 9-10, with 36 holes at the DePauw University Invitational in Danville, Ind.

Bear Notebook: Washington U.’s first tournament championship came on Sept. 2, at the Maryville Fall Warm-Up in Eureka, Mo … Curtis has guided the Bears to five tournament championships in three years as a varsity program.