The Northwestern College women’s golf team won the Matthew Goette Fall Classic in Omaha, Nebraska, on Sept 21.
This is the second straight time the women have won the Omaha-based classic. Four of the five top finishers placed in the top 10 with the fifth finisher taking 11th place.
Freshman Claire Yunag finished 11th with a score of 85. Junior Taylor Van Ostrand took 7th overall with a score of 82. Just ahead of her was Freshman Ellie Erickson with a score of 81. Tied for 3rd was Sophomore Emily Hulshof with a score of 79. Finally, taking first place from Milford, Iowa, was Junior Martha Stein with a career low of 76. Their team total of 318 was enough for the Raiders to take first place at the meet as well.
“I’m very proud of the girls,” said Head coach Courtney Den Herder. “This group of girls has tons of potential and were finally able to put together a good round of golf on a tough course. To have four girls in the top-10 is amazing.”
Stein’s victory at the meet was her first win as a Red Raider, and it was the first individual title for both the men’s and women’s teams in over a year.
“I will never forget finishing on the 18th green and looking over to see Sophie and Laci behind the green cheering me on,” Stein said. “It has been a lifelong goal to win a collegiate tournament.”
What set this meet apart? Teamwork and competition.
Stein says, “we work hard and push each other to be better golfers.”
Hulsof agrees, stating “This year’s team has more competitiveness. We push each other to get better every day.”
As the women look forward to the rest of the season, they are optimistic to say the least.
“We had previous meets where we all played pretty well but had things we could work on,” said Ericson. “It was just a matter of time until we all just relaxed and played how we know we can.”
The team credits the victory to the coaching staff, the simulator in the Juffer fieldhouse and their excitement to go out and get better every day.
The Raiders will travel to Kansas City next to compete in the Park University Fall Invite on Oct 10-11.
