BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University women's golf team spent much of the final round of the WWU Invitational battling for the top spot on the leaderboard, but ultimately fell just short placing second at its annual home tournament hosted at Bellingham Golf & Country Club.

 

The Vikings nearly overcame tournament winner UBC Okanagan during the rainy final round tying for the lowest team score of the day with a 13-over-par 301, but ended two strokes back of the top spot finishing second in the seven-team field. 

 

"I felt like we got off to a good start to the fall season a few weeks ago and the team carried that into the last two days in our home tournament," said WWU Director of Golf Luke Bennett. "Conditions were not ideal, but they really battled through things and put up impressive numbers throughout the 36 holes. I am extremely proud of the effort, the results and the grit they showed and looking forward a strong finish to the fall schedule in a few weeks in Hawai'i."

 

Senior Dani Bailey led the Vikings tying for third place in the 37-player field finishing at 3-over-par 147 with rounds of 73 (+1) and 74 (+2) in the two-day tournament. Bailey recorded 23 pars and five birdies over the two rounds.

 

"Dani was consistent and played great golf over both days of the tournament," said Bennett. "She carried Monday's strong finish into the round Tuesday which resulted in a great top five finish."

 

Sophomore transfer Lauren Lee (76-74) and sophomore Emma Worgum (72-78) tied for 8th place at 6-over-par 150, and sophomore Kasey Maralack fired her lowest collegiate round in Tuesday's final round with a 3-over-par 75to finish in a tie for 14th place (+10, 154). Senior Claire Moon rounded out the Vikings lineup tying for 21st place (+13, 157).

 

"It was a total team effort with great scoring during stretches of both rounds by all players," added Bennett. "I am really proud of Kasey's final round. She's been working hard and put it all together for her low collegiate round."

 

UBC Okanagan won the team title with a two-day total of 15-over-par 598 for the two-stroke victory over WWU. The Heat built its lead heading into the final round by way of a first-round score of 7-over-par 295. Emily Cornwall of UBCO won individual medalist honors finishing at 1-under-par 143 (71-72) for a two-stroke victory over Claire Shubin of Dominican (+1, 72-73=145).

 

Western completes the four-tournament fall schedule October 23-28 with a pair of tournaments on the Big Island in Hawai'i. The Vikings play in the HPU Sharks Shootout October 23-24 at Waikoloa Beach Golf Resort and the Dennis Rose Intercollegiate at Waikoloa Village Golf Course October 27-28. The complete 2023-24 schedule can be viewed online at wwuvikings.com/24_WGolf.

 

Here is a look at WWU's individual results and the team standings from the 2023 WWU Invitational played at Bellingham Golf & Country Club:

 

Here is a look at the Vikings 2023-24 fall tournament schedule for the WWU Women's Golf program, in addition to the listing of spring postseason tournaments. All tournament recaps, season statistics and program history can be found on WWUVikings.com/WGolf.