PALM DESERT, Calif. --- Vanguard women's golf spent the last two days at the Desert Willow Golf Resort, competing at the Augustana Spring Fling in Palm Desert. VU finished sixth out of the seven teams and shot 328-328 (+80) over the two rounds. Though the Lions were settled in the top three after day one, Rollins University came away with the Spring Fling win, with a team total of 612 (306-306). Saint Leo's Oliva Deakins captured individual honors netting 149 (71-78) total strokes.
The Course: Managed by Kemper Sports, the Mountain View Golf Course has a maximum yardage of 6,003 yards and is a par 72. The course was designed by PGA Tour player John Cook, and offers long fairways, 98 well-placed bunkers, sloping greens, and seven water features.
What Happened? The Blue and Gold were led by
Shyla Tigilau, who finished tied for 12th with a score of 160 (84-76). The senior's composure on day two launched her up 14 places, as she clipped four straight pars and closed Friday action netting three of her four total birdies.
Brooke Carpenter was next for the Lions in a tie for 20th with 164 shots (85-79). Her 16 pars were a team-best and her (-2) on par fives was top two overall in the Spring Fling.
Shanaya Neru claimed a top five score on her first tour of the course and finished with rounds of 79 and 86 for a total of 165. She also deposited 15 pars overall and flushed two birdies.
Sehlai Purcell was another Lion with a convincing first round, tallying three birdies and six pars for a score of 80. She left the venue with six more pars and a birdie to end tied 32nd with 167 strokes (80-87).
Brooklyn Motske was 39th with 175 shots posting rounds of 87 and 88. Her total birdies (2) were split evenly over the two days, while eight of her 12 pars came on Thursday's first day.
As a collective, the Blue and Gold started with an impressive day one, netting the third-best score at 328 (+40). Their total birdies, (14) were third-best among the competition, while their total pars (70) were tied for fifth.
What was Said? "With some good competition in the field, I'm happy to see our fifth spot, Shanaya, step up to help us tie for third as a team at the end of the first round," said Associate Head Coach
Nico Mendoza. "Tough conditions got the best of us on day two, but I'm happy with our attitudes heading into a quick turnaround at the SMSU Classic in Arizona."
What's Next? Women's golf will head to Arizona for the SMSU Classic on March 17-18.
