Jackie Yanch

Windy conditions, challenging course test Golden Flashes

AUSTIN, Texas – The Kent State women's golf team concluded their fall season Wednesday with a disappointing finish at the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational, hosted by the University of Texas.

Although the temperature was near 80 degrees on Wednesday, sun and wind dried the course to make for a challenging course. As a team, the Golden Flashes shot a 318, dropping the team back to 12^th place overall.

"We battled a hard course and hard conditions," said head coach Mike Morrow. "We never got anything going and struggled with momentum. We played really well Monday, but it was a different animal today."

Mercedes Germino (Necochea, Argentina) posted a top-15 finish for the second straight tournament to lead Kent State. On Wednesday, Germino shot a six-over 78 to tie for 15^th overall.

Freshman Jennifer Ha (Calgary, Alberta) had the lowest score for the Kent State team effort, shooting a five-over 77 to finish tied for 48^th place.

Individual golfer Jackie Yanch (Barrie, Ontario) shot a two-over 74 to give the Golden Flashes a bright spot on the day. Yanch tallied birdies on three of her first seven holes, which aided in a one-under 35 on the course's front nine. For the tournament, Yanch finished tied for 38^th overall.

Senior Mandi Morrow (Kent, Ohio) finished tied for 31^st overall and second best on the team after posting a nine-over 81 on Wednesday.

Senior Shamira Marshall (Macedonia, Ohio) and sophomore Erin Hawe (Walton, New Zealand) concluded the tournament with 10-over 82s. After struggling on her front nine, Hawe finished one-over on the course's front nine, aided by two birdies.

The course was difficult for the entire field on Wednesday. Of note, of the 15 eagles that were scored through the three-day event, just three came during the tournament's final round.

The host Longhorns captured the team title with a 12-stroke victory over the trio of teams knotted for second place. Texas' Nicole Vandermade claimed medalist honors with a one-stroke victory over teammate Madison Pressel.

The Golden Flashes will break for the winter and return to action for the spring season Feb. 12-14 at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic in Rio Grande, P.R.