Earlier this week, Trinity men’s and women’s golf teams headed east to Starcke Park Golf Course in Seguin, Texas. The women’s golf team earned their first victory of the year at the Lady Bulldog Fall Classic, while the men’s team came in fifth at the John Bohmann Memorial Invitational. The tournament marks the fall season opener for both teams.
“To win the first tournament was so exciting, especially with such a young team,” said senior co-captain Emilee Strausberg. After a first round team score of 319, the Tigers improved on Tuesday with a second round score of 315. The Tigers increased their lead during round two by “staying calm and playing shot by shot,” said senior co-captain Elizabeth McGillivray.
“It can be difficult in the moment on Tuesday to not worry about score or the outcome of each shot or even the day, but I think that is why we were able to win because we really stayed present and just took it one step at a time,” McGillivray said.
The closest team, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, finished 16 strokes behind Trinity. Tournament host Texas Lutheran University finished fifth with a two day score of 351.
With only three returners from last season, the Trinity women’s team now starts three first-years.
The new-comers include Raquel Hill, who carded 79–84 for a tie for eighth, Jordyn Jasperson and Sarah Buss.
Sophomore Delaney Kelley shot a collegiate personal record of four over 76 on Tuesday to help the Tigers claim victory. Kelley’s performance on day two was also the low round of the day on Tuesday.
Strausberg shot seven over 79 in the first round followed by a five over 77 on Tuesday to finish second individually in the Tournament.
Her performance earned her SCAC Women’s Golfer of the Week, an honor she has won five times before. “One goal I have for the semester is just creating a good team culture that everyone can support each other on good and bad days.”
With another first place tournament plaque added to the walls of women’s golf coach Carla Spenkoch’s, the Trinity women’s golf team looks forward to a strong fall season.
“[The win] sets the tone and expectations for the rest of the season,” McGillivray said.
The Tigers head out to Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston next for the Division III National Preview hosted by University of Mary Hardin-Baylor on Sept: 24–25.
Their home tournament, the Alamo Classic, will be held October 15–16 at The Quarry Golf Club to conclude the fall season.
On the men’s side, the Tigers shot team totals of 305–300–286 to finish fifth overall.
Led by first-year DJ Springer, who turned in 73–76–69, the Tigers improved from the seventh place position after round one to move up two spots as a team.
Host Texas Lutheran University finished at five over par behind Southwestern University, who shot a three-round total of two under par.
Next up for the men’s team will be the Crusader Collegiate Invitational hosted by University of Mary Hardin-Baylor October 1–2 at Wildflower Country Club in Temple, Texas.
The men’s team will also host the Alamo Classic at The Quarry on October 15–16.
