DeKALB — The women’s golf team took home fourth-place team finish in the Kiawah Island Classic in South Carolina.

This was the Huskies’ second tournament of the spring season with promising results as the team finished ahead of 37 other teams and just one shot back of a third place finish.

“When you’re playing in 10 to 20 mph winds in mid 50 temps, the scores are going to go up,” Kester said. “Finishing 4 out of 41 teams though is really good. The girls did a great job playing in something we aren’t used to.” 

The team was as high as solo-second on the team leaderboard after two-rounds at the 54-hole event, but still far away from the second round leading team Dallas Baptist University, which sat 18 shots ahead of the Huskies.

On the individual leaderboard, senior Lauren Ingle continued her solid play from the team’s win in Florida, recording a +4 T-7 finish over the three-day tournament, including a second round 69, which vaulted Ingle into the top-five on the individual leaderboard after round two.

“This is the best I’ve seen her striking the ball in three and a half years,” Kester said. “Before spring, we talked about giving her the best opportunity to succeed and she’s running with it.” 

Ingle was not the only Huskie to shoot a round in the red. Sophomore Ahra Ko opened up the tournament with -1 71 Sunday before back-to-back over par days dropped her into positive figures, giving the Huskies two consistent contributors on a round-to-round basis.

“It’s really helpful to have [Ko] being consistent,” Kester said. “On a week to week basis we know right around where we’re going to be as a team which is a good thing to know.”

After three rounds of golf, Ko finished at +8 and tied at 22, still enough for a top-25 finish. 

Kester and the Huskies are hoping to build off another impressive finish against a crowded field, as the team now travels west to Boulder Creek, Nevada to compete in the Jackrabbit Invitational March 8-9.

“We’re gonna work on some knock-down shots,” Kester said. “Vegas is going to play a little more difficult, more scoring opportunities, but we are expecting some wind, so working on knocking the ball down is going to help us succeed while we’re out there.” 

The Team will stay in the desert following the meet and then travel to Sand Hollow, Utah to compete in the BYU Spring Classic starting March 15.