The women’s golf team finished the fall season last weekend at the Lehigh Invitational at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, PA. The team finished in third place with a two day total of 625. The field included Lehigh, Central Connecticut University, Hartford, Holy Cross, Monmouth, and Saint Francis of Pennsylvania.
The Lehigh Invite is played on the Grace Course, which is one of three golf courses at Saucon Valley Country Club. The Grace Course is a par 72 golf course that plays at 6,012 yards.
“It was an excellent way to finish the fall season,” said Head Coach Sue DeKalb. “[The team is] looking forward to some time off and we can’t wait until the spring.”
Junior Haley Goodling finished in first place overall with two back to back rounds of 73. This was Gooding’s career low for a two day tournament, and her first medalist honor of her collegiate career. Goodling played 28 straight holes at even par and recorded three birdies over the two days.
“I think the win showed other teams that we are competitive,” Goodling said. “I’m hoping this momentum carries forward to the spring season and motivates us to really compete in the conferences.”
Sophomore Nicole Totland also recorded scores in this event. Her rounds of 77 and 79 were her first 70 rounds of her career. This was also Totland’s first top 10 finish in a tournament and lowest career total.
“It felt really good to finally record rounds in the 70s while competing. It’s something I have been trying to achieve for a while now because I know I am capable of doing it,” Totland said. “I love playing this course because it’s possible to go pretty low here.”
Freshman Carla Puig Jou shot her first career 70s round also. Her second day score of 79 placed her in the top 20 at the tournament for the second time in her Monmouth career.
Senior Sarah Kokotajlo took off 6 strokes from her day one round, shooting a 6 over par 78 in the second round of the invite.
The Hawks scores from the Lehigh Invite were: Goodling: 73-73; 146 Totland 77-79; 156 senior Faith Garcia 80-78; 158 Puig Jou 79-81; 160 Kokotajlo 84-78; 162 freshman Cassidy Gavaghan 81-81;162 senior Kaitlin Clancy 87-80; 167.
The Monmouth men’s golf team also competed at the Lehigh Invite. The team finished in fourth place after 36 holes of golf. The men played Saucon at 7,091 yards. The field included Bucknell, Colgate, Fairfield, Fordham, Hofstra, Iona, Lafayette, Lehigh, Monmouth, Rider, Siena and St. John’s.
“I am really pleased with Glen-Michael [Mihavetz] and Ron [Robinson] as they played two pretty good days of golf. I am happy we can end the fall season on a pretty good note,” said Head Coach Dennis Shea.
Mihavetz finished in 8th place overall with two back to back rounds of 74. He led the Hawks’ card for the third time in his sixth career event.
Robinson shot rounds of 73, 76 for a two day total of 149. All seven of Robinson’s rounds have been in the 70s this fall.
The men’s scores from the Lehigh Invite were: Glen-Michael Mihavetz 74-74; 148 Ron Robinson 73-76; Drake Ferriter 81-77; 158 Patrick Lehrkinder 77-84; 161 Nick Maff 81-81; 162
The Hawks will continue their 2017-2018 season in March at the Battle of Boulder Creek in Las Vegas, Nevada.
PHOTO COURTESY of Monmouth Athletics
