DUPONT, Wash. – The Western Washington University women's golf team wrapped up the season-opening tournament of the 2023-24 season placing 6th out of 11 teams at the Saint Martin's Fall Invitational.

 

WWU completed the two-day, 36-hole tournament with a team score of 43-over-par 619, showcasing a one-stroke improvement on Tuesday with a 21-over-par 309. The Vikings just missed a top-five finish in the tournament with Dominican just two strokes better in fifth place. Defending NCAA Division III National Champion George Fox University won the team title by one stroke over Northwest Nazarene.

 

"All-in-all, I am very happy with the start to the season," said WWU Director of Golf Luke Bennett. "It was great to get the competitive juices flowing again for the team."

 

Sophomore transfer Lauren Lee led the Vikings with a top-10 finish in a tie for 7th place, with her final-round score of even-par 72 one of the lowest rounds of the tournament. Lee birdied two of the final three holes to turn in the even-par round.

 

"Lauren's game looks sharp. It was exciting to see her play so solid in her first event for the Vikings," added Bennett.

 

Sophomore Emma Worgum backed up her opening-round score of 2-over-par 74 with a 5-over-par 77 to finish in tie for 14th place. Sophomore Kasey Maralack tied for 22nd (+10, 154) with matching rounds of 5-over-par 77 and senior Dani Bailey and freshman Claire Voelk tied for 47th in the 60-player field at 23-over-par 167.

 

"Emma picked up where she left off last year with some very steady play to open the season," said Bennett. "I am excited for the upcoming fall tournaments."

 

Makensie Toole of George Fox won individual medalist honors finishing at even-par 144 with rounds of 1-under-par 71 and 1-over-par 73. Kiersten Saludares of Hawai'i Hilo earned runner-up honors finishing at 2-over-par 146 (72-74).

 

The Vikings return to action with the second of four fall tournaments October 9-10 hosting the WWU Invitational at Bellingham Golf & Country Club. WWU concludes the fall with a pair of tournaments in Hawai'i competing in the HPU Sharks Shootout (October 23-24) and the Dennis Rose Intercollegiate (October 27-28).

 

Here is a look at WWU's individual results and the team leaderboard from the Saint Martin's Fall Invitational hosted by Saint Martin's University at The Home Course:

 

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.