Women’s golfers in strong position after first qualifier round

The Northwestern women’s golf team is currently sitting four shots behind GPAC leader Morningside, thanks in part to some big contributions from a youthful source.
Freshman Emma Wynja posted a 10-over 81 for a tie of second place, trailing the leader by three strokes after the first GPAC Qualifier meet at the Ridge in Sioux Center last Friday, Sept. 16. Sophomore Taylor Kline finished in a four-way tie for sixth, while freshman Jess Locker tied for 13th place overall after posting an 87.
Senior Andria Hinz carded an 89 to tied for 15th. Freshman Betsy Wallin rounded out the scorecard by shooting a 97.
Coach Harold Hoftyzer was pleased with his team’s all around effort and strongly emphasized how well and how hard the team performed. He also saw a ceiling for them that wasn’t quite reached.
“It’s tough as we analyze our day, [because] we had the opportunity to be in the lead after the first event.” Hoftyzer said. “We took a couple mistakes around the greens, and we had a couple of holes where we had to say ‘Wow, this is really difficult’ because of the cold, because of the wind, and because of the course. The greens seemed like concrete.”
Team leader Wynja agreed.
“It was very cold and very windy, which makes it a little harder, but it’s hard for all of us because we see all the little things we could have done and easily been right up there in first,” Wynja said.
When asked if she felt any pressure from being a freshman so high on the leaderboard, she responded with optimism.
“Obviously, I don’t want to let the team down.” Wynja said, “But it’s kind of nice because people don’t really expect a lot [from a freshman], so it’s just sort of do your best and see what happens.”