By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
EDMOND, Okla. – The Fort Hays State women’s golf team opened its spring season with a 12th-place finish at the Diffee Ford Lincoln Invitational Monday-Tuesday (March 9-10). Southern Nazarene hosted the event at Kickingbird Golf Club, a par-70, 5,821-yard layout.
The Tigers turned in a team score of 334 on day one before improving by 17 strokes in round two, carding a 317 to finish at 651 for the week. Tuesday’s round of 317 was their third-best round of the season. Fort Hays State sat in 15th after the opening round before climbing three spots into a tie for 12th after round two
Taylor DeBoer paced the Tigers with a 16-over 156 after improving six strokes between rounds. The senior fired an 11-over 81 in the opening round before finishing at 5-over 75 on Tuesday, finishing in a tie for 27th.
Kira Mestl shot 24-over 164 for the week after rounds of 83 and 81. The sophomore led the team with two birdies, placing T53. Madison Roether was close behind in 55th place, finishing at 25-over 165 after rounds of 82 and 83.
Kate Peterka got things rolling on Tuesday, improving from a first-round 91 to a 78 in round two, the second-best round for a Tiger this week. Her two-day total of 29-over 169 put her in a tie for 68th place.
Katie Brungardt posted rounds of 88 and 87 to finish at 35-over 175, placing 77th. Competing as an individual, Danielle Gaspar also improved 13 shots between rounds. The junior shot a 97 in the first round before posting an 84 on Tuesday, finishing at 41-over 181.
Rogers State and Central Oklahoma tied for first at 43-over 603, with RSU’s Jessica Green taking home medalist honors after consecutive rounds of 72 put her at 4-over 144.
The Tigers will head back to Oklahoma next Monday-Tuesday (March 16-17) for the Hillcat Classic, hosted by Rogers State at Bailey Ranch Golf Course in Owasso.
Diffee Ford Lincoln Invitational Results
Kickingbird GC – Edmond, Okla. – Par 70 – 5,821 yards
Fort Hays State – 334 – 317 – 651 – T12
Taylor DeBoer – 81 – 75 – 156 – T27
Kira Mestl – 83 – 81 – 164 – T53
Madison Roether – 82 – 83 – 165 – T55
Kate Peterka – 91 – 78 – 169 – T68
Katie Brungardt – 88 – 87 – 175 – T77
Danielle Gaspar* – 97 – 84 – 181 – T86
* – competed as an individual