Women’s Golf Takes Home Fifth Season Opener in Dominant Win Over Rivals
North Dakota State Women’s Golf hosted rivals UND and USD at the NDSU Invitational. This victory marks the fifth time in a row the Bison have kicked off the season with a victory at home. The NDSU Invitational took place once again at the Oxbow Golf Course in Fargo and spanned Sept. 8-9. It was total domination from the start of the tournament, with NDSU taking the first day by five strokes, finishing with a 299(+11); UND in second with a 304(+16), and USD shot a 309(+21). On the second day, the Bison claimed victory with a 300(+17), while UND and USD swapped places, with the Coyotes taking second place with a 305(+17) and the Fighting Hawks finishing last with a 311(+23). All in all, the Bison finished shooting 599(+23) to claim first place; South Dakota narrowly beat out North Dakota with a 616(+38) to the Fighting Hawks' 617(+39) to claim second.
On the individual side, junior Avery Bartels took home her first collegiate victory. Bartels shot a career low through 36 holes this week, capturing a 147(+3). She opened the tournament with a 73(+1), leaving her in third place to end the first round. She stayed consistent on the final day, shooting a 74(+2) to take home the victory by six strokes. Bartels totaled five birdies plus an eagle on day two. Right behind Bartels is senior Norah Roberts, who was able to tie North Dakota's Sophie Cook for second place. Roberts shot a 153(+9). She led the way on day one, shooting a 71(-1) to tie with teammate Emma Fitzmorris. Roberts took a step back on day two with an 82 (+10), struggling to bring home another collegiate victory. Roberts finished with five birdies and 20 pars.
In third place for NDSU and tying for fourth place overall was a new face, freshman Emma Fitzmorris, who shot a 154(+10), which would place her in a three-way tie for fourth. As stated earlier, her first round was a fantastic 71(-1), but very similar to Roberts, the second-day jitters hit, and she shot a 73(+11). In fourth place for the Bison, sophomore Jari Lafleche finished in a tie for seventh, along with teammates Hannah Dunk and Bella Leonhart. The trio shot a 155(+11); Lafleche led the way on day one with a 76(+4), Leonhart finished with a 79(+7) and Dunk with an 80(+8). On day two, the trio would reverse, with Dunk shooting a 74(+3), Leonhart a 75(+4), and Lafleche a 79(+7).
The Final two Bison were a pair of freshmen, Belle Kongshaug and Lauren Chambs. Kongshaug debuted in a tie for 14th place with Gigi Lund of North Dakota. Kongshaug had some debut jitters, with an 82(+10) debut. On the second day, she reeled it all in and finished with a75(+3). She finished her Bison debut with a 157(+13). Chambs finished in a tie for 20th with a 162(+18), the freshmen shot a 79(+7) and an 81(+11).
Women's Golf will head to Montana for the Yellowstone Intercollegiate on Sept. 21.
