CARMEL, Calif. -- Vanguard women's golf captured its first tournament hardware as a provisional NCAA DII member today as the Lions won the Menlo PCH Invite. VU shot 315-325 (+72) to secure first by six shots over Westmont (+78).
Sehlai Purcell was the tournament's individual champion, finishing 10 shots over par (79-73) and clearing Holly Obermuller of Menlo by one shot.
The Course: The Quail Lodge Golf Course is another stunner in the golf-rich Carmel area. Designed by Robert Muir Graves, the course is 6,500 yards long and is a par 71. Situated a little inland from the town, the course hugs some houses and hills but offers well-maintained fairways that keep a golfer in the hunt for a good score.
What Happened? Brooke Carpenter led the field after one round of golf with a three-over round of 74. Carpenter had birdies on the 10th, 12th, 13th, and 16th holes and merged those with seven pars to take a three-shot lead into day two.
Sehlai Purcell was in a tie for third after one round with a 79, eight shots over par. She found eight pars and birdies on the first, 12th, and 16th holes to stay in touch with the top of the table.
Brooklyn Motske was one shot behind Purcell in fifth with an 80 on Monday, as the graduate student banked nine pars on day one.
Shyla Tigilau was in seventh place after Monday's action with an 82 after tallying eight pars.
Arabella Mishek totaled 86 strokes for round one after netting seven pars to end the day tied for 11th.
Purcell had birdies on the eighth, ninth, and 11th holes, and pocketed nine pars on day two, to vault into first with a 73 (152 shots for both days). She had been tied with Menlo's Obermuller after round one, but Purcell's two extra birdies allowed her to win it all. Purcell had the most birdies in the field (six) and was third in pars (18). Carpenter had a round of 81 on Tuesday to end with 155 total strokes, placing her in third.. She had eight pars during her second round and ended the tournament tied for second with four birdies and tied for sixth in pars (17).
Motske concluded her tournament with an 82 to tally a 162 for both days to place eighth. She had birdies on the first and ninth holes during her second round in addition to five pars. She ended the tournament tied for fifth in birdies (two) and tied for ninth with 15 pars. Tigilau had six pars today to collect an 89 for round two and a 171 for the event, ending tied for 11th. She also placed eighth in total pars for the two-day tournament (16). Mishek posted a 93 on day two to net a grand total of 179 and finish in 15th.
Vanguard was second in pars as a team (77) to Westmont (83), but the Lions led the Warriors in birdies 12-9. The Blue and Gold had the best scoring average on both par-four and par-five holes.
What was Said? "Very proud of the girls for staying patient and playing with a lead throughout the event," said Associate Head Coach
Nico Mendoza. "The future is bright, as our team was led by two freshman. Sehlai, who took home the individual title, continues her great play for the year!"
What's Next? The Lions head to the desert as VU competes at the Augustana Desert Invite at the Desert Willow Golf Course in Palm Desert.
