WKU Women’s golf places third in USA Intercollegiate tournament

Jabin Botsford

Sophomore Kelsey Burrell, senior JoAnna Smith, back left, and WKU head women’s golf coach Ron Burchett, back right, watch as sophomore Kristen Wilkinson putts Wednesday at the Bowling Green Country Club during practice.

Molly St. Clair, Sports Reporter

WKU women’s golf kick started their 2022 fall season breaking several program records at the USA Intercollegiate tournament. The Labor day weekend tournament was hosted by South Alabama University at Magnolia Grove Crossings Golf Course. 

The Lady Toppers placed third ahead of 10 other schools. The team ended the three day tournament with a total score of 856. This 8-under score was enough to set an all-time team record for a 54 hole tournament.

The Hilltoppers finished their first day of the tournament in second place with a team score of 284. After shooting a 289 on the second day, the team dropped to  fifth place.

On the final day, the team fought back hard. WKU carded a total of 5-under, bumping the Hiltoppers from fifth place to third. 

Winning the tournament as an individual with a three day total score of 206 was WKU’s own Sydney Hackett. The freshman delivered in her first collegiate tournament shooting 10-under to clench the top spot in her first collegiate tournament. This is WKU’s first individual tournament title since 2018.

Junior, Rachel Rich placed 10th overall with a three day score of 213. She was 3-under overall putting two Hilltoppers in the top ten of the invitational. 

WKU’s women’s golf returns to action Sept. 12 and 13 in Cincinnati, Ohio at the Cincinnati Invitational.

T1. Sydney Hackett – 67, 71,68 – 206

T10. Rachel Rich – 71, 69, 73 – 213

T18. Addie westbrook – 69, 71, 76 – 216

T44. Averi Cline – 80, 74, 69 – 223

T44. Sarah Arnold – 72, 78, 73 – 223

T44. Kenlie Barret – 74, 75, 74 – 223

T63. Catie Craig -74, 78, 76 – 228

 

Sports reporter Molly St. Clair can be reached at can be reached at [email protected].