SIOUX CENTER—
Mackenzie Biggs (senior, Bloomington, Ill., Normal HS) posted a 2-over-par 74 to take second-place honors at the Siouxland Invitational women's golf tournament Thursday.
But the Dutch ended the day with the same one-shot deficit they started with, shooting 324-310—634 and finishing behind Morningside College, which shot 323-310--633 in the 36-hole tournament.
Biggs carded 77-74—151, placing two shots behind Kelsey Heath of Mount Marty (S.D.), who finished with 75-74—149.
"Mackenzie had a really nice day, she played solid all around," coach
Tabitha Schumacher said. "She had one double bogey on 10, but overall a really good tournament. That's some of the best golf she's played. It definitely helps to have a player who can be near the top of the leaderboard in the first two tournaments so far."
Lydia Grond (junior, Hull, Boyden-Hull HS) tied for fifth at 82-77—159.
"Lydia played pretty similar to yesterday, but she avoided a big number," Schumacher said.
Peyton Bytnar (senior, Bettendorf) placed 10th at 83-79—162 while
Rachel Sohn (senior, Sutherland, South O'Brien HS) shot 82-84—166 and
Avery Woods (senior, Long Grove, North Scott HS) had 91-80—171.
At-large entrant
Parker Stout (junior, Lowden, North Cedar) shot 85-88--173,
Jaden Smith (sophomore, Marengo, Iowa Valley HS) shot 95-85—180 and
Mickey Martens (freshman, Villa Park, Ill., Willowbrook HS) shot 94-92—186.
Thursday's round was played at the Ridge Golf Club in Sioux Center after Wednesday's round at Landsmeer Golf Club in Orange City. Scores dropped but Schumacher said the conditions played a role.
"It helped that the wind was way less today," she said. "Tee to green it was a little easier but the greens on this course were a little bit tougher."
Schumacher liked seeing four scores of 80 or under.
"And we did it on a pretty tricky course," she said. "I'm happy with how we're doing so far."
he Dutch will have a rare weekend off before traveling to Normal, Illinois for the Illinois Wesleyan Invitational at the Ironwood Golf Course Sept. 16-17. Central was third in a 15-team field there last year. Schumacher is looking forward to practice time on the range.
"It'll be nice because, really, the preseason got kind of cut short with all the hot weather," she said. "Now we'll get to have a good week of practice before we head to Illinois."
