SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Concordia-St. Paul women's golf team claimed the top spot at the Augustana Invitational this afternoon. The Golden Bears shot a collective 620 (+44) at the Elmwood Golf Course, shooting a 313 (+25) in round one and a 307 (+19) in round two.
It is the second time this season that the Golden Bears have finished in first place as a team, after opening the season with a first place finish at the Tracy Lane Memorial Invitational in Bemidji. CSP's team score of 620 in their fourth lowest two round score of the season, with their low mark of 616 coming at the Jewel Invitational.
Rebecca DeLong was CSP's top individual finisher, coming in a tie for third place after carding a 154 (+10) across 36 holes. DeLong's 154 is a new two round low for the junior, besting the 155 she shot early this season at the Jewel Invitational.
DeLong started the day by carding a new single round low of 74 (+2) in the opening round, with four birdies on the scorecard, shooting a 38 on the front nine and a 36 on the back nine. The junior carded an 80 (+8) in round two with an eagle on the par five, 10th. The third place finish is DeLong's highest placement of her career and the first time she has finished inside the top 10 at an event.
Finishing in a tie for third place with DeLong was Darby Barstad, carding an identical score of 154 (+10) at the tournament. Barstad shot a 77 (+5) in both rounds, to set a single round season low, besting her 78 at SMSU Spring Invite last month.
Barstad had one birdie in the opening round and another in round two, while making par on 23 of the 36 holes. Barstad's third place finish is her second top 10 placement of the season and the second time she has finished inside the top five in her career, while also marking the lowest 36 hole score of her career, besting her previous two round low of 158.
Freshman Addi Wood finished in 13th place, shooting a 158 (+14) across both rounds at the tournament. Wood shot an 84 (+12) in round one, before recovering with a 74 (+2) in the second round. The freshman closed out round one on a strong note, birdying the 15th and 16th hole to card a 37 on the back nine. In round two, Wood notched two birdies and 12 pars to end the day in 13th place.
Piper Hill finished the afternoon in 14th place at the 36 hole tournament, shooting a 81 (+9) in round one and a 78 (+6) in round two to card a 159 (+15). Ella Matzke carded a 159 (+15) as well, finishing in a tie with Hill for 14th place.
Matzke shot a 81 (+9) in the opening round, with one birdie on hole six, before shooting a 78 (+6) in round two with a birdie on hole 18.
Marina Allen competed independently and finished in a tie for 19th place after carding a 161 (+17) across 36 holes. Allen shot a 79 (+7) in the opening round and a 82 (+10) in round two to mark her second best placement of the season.
CSP finished with a three stroke lead on second place Sioux Falls, who shot a 312 (+24) in round one and a 311 (+23) in round two to card a 623 (+47) for the tournament.
Gwen Latunski of Sioux Falls claimed the top individual spot at the tournament, carding a 151 (+7) to finish with a one stroke lead and the win.
The Golden Bears are back in action next week at the Wildcat Classic at the Wayne Country Club in Wayne, Nebraska.
