After a lackluster performance on Sunday, the University of Colorado women’s golf team managed to finish in sixth place at the 32nd Branch Law Firm Dick McGuire Invitational in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Monday afternoon.
“It was a very rough first round,” CU head coach Anne Kelly said in a press release. “I don’t know what happened to my team, they disappeared, everybody except Kristin [Coleman]. It wasn’t the same team that played in the practice round yesterday. We did make a nice comeback this afternoon, but I don’t really have any answers for what happened this morning, except that we didn’t play very well.”
(CU Independent illustration/Josh Shettler)
The Buffs, who started Sunday from eighth place, shot an 8-over par 292. Their 8-over par 592 performance helped to boost them into sixth. Overall, the lady’s golf team went 22-over par 898 in the event, which boasted over 54-holes.
“We kind of got it going for a little bit, but then didn’t finish as strong,” Kelly said. “The hole locations were really hard today, the hardest I’ve seen out of all the times we’ve played here. That is generally why the scores were higher today. We would obviously like to finish higher, but it’s early in the season and we’re figuring some things out.”
Colorado was led by sophomore Kristin Coleman, who finished in the top-20 for the fifth time in her career. On the day, she shot even par 73 and tied for 12th with 3-over par 222. Despite a number of setbacks on the course, she finished strong in her final ten holes.
Coach Kelly took note of Coleman’s resilience.
“Kristin’s confidence seems to be coming back,” Kelly said. “She’s feeling more comfortable in tournament conditions with the swing adjustments she’s been working on. She had a lot of birdies for the tournament, so that’s a great sign.”
Sophomores Jenny Coleman and Alex Stewart both tied for 48th with 11-over par.
Junior Taylor Doyle shot 10-over par 229 and finished tied for 42nd. Senior Emily Talley finished 6-over par 225 for the tournament, placing her in 23rd.
“Emily’s ball-striking was really good today,” Kelly said. “She has just been fighting her putter, which I don’t think she’s ever done before. Hopefully she can work on it the next few days and get her confidence back.”
Senior Jessica Wallace, who was absent in the tournament, would have helped the Buffs. Wallace is competing in the LPGA qualifying round in Florida, hoping to make it to the final stage in Daytona.
The lady Buffs will hit the green again at the Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitation at the Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Wash. October 3-5.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Shay Knolle at shay.knolle@colorado.edu.
