Though the Irish turned in their best team and individual finishes of the season, a second-place team finish trailing by only one-stroke left them disappointed after the Hoosier Fall Invitational at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Ind. over the weekend.
Senior captain BeccaHuffer took home the individual title by three strokes on the strength of a 71-stroke final round. The rainy final day also saw Notre Dame card three rounds in the 80s, however, which pushed Eastern Michigan to a one-stroke victory.
"I'm not very pleased," Irish coach Susan Holt said. "We went down there looking for a win, then blew a four shot lead on the last day."
The Irish were paced in the first two rounds by freshman Ashley Armstrong, who led all players with a two-over 146 heading into the final round. Armstrong's second round score of 71 was the lowest of her collegiate career. Freshman Kelli Oride also contributed to Notre Dame's youth movement, rallying from a first round 78 to shoot 73 and 74 over the second and third rounds.
"Ashley got off to a very good start for us, and Kelli [Oride] played very well, too," Holt said. "We're getting good individual performances, but were lacking the consistency we need right now."
Huffer's performance was an especially bright spot for the Irish. She registered the first individual win of her career. Despite the rainy conditions, Huffer was on her game in the final round with a one-under finish.
Holt said the title couldn't have gone to a more deserving player.
"[Huffer] was leading a tournament last year at Georgia State, and somebody shot a 66 in the last round to beat her by a stroke, so it was nice to see her get the win," Holt said. "Crooked Stick is a very challenging golf course. You have to keep your attention and focus, and she was able to do that."
With just one tournament remaining on their fall schedule, Notre Dame will try to continue improving and hope to put together a complete team performance.
"In order to maximize our potential, we need to play to our abilities right now," Holt said. "I know we have the talent, and that's the most frustrating thing. We're just looking for three solid rounds."
The Irish will finish their fall campaign when they head to the Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, N.C. for a three-day tournament starting Friday.
Contact Jack Hefferon at
wheffero@nd.edu
