Bollinger Leads Cougar Golfers

SIMPSONVILLE -- The BYU women’s golf team posted a solid showing at the Napa River Grill Cardinal Cup, finishing in sixth place as a team with three golfers placing in the top 12. Junior Jade Bollinger led the way, finishing fifth among the 75 golfers at the tournament.

“I’m really proud of this team,” said BYU head coach Sue Nyhus. “The more we play, the better we get, and I think we’re all really starting to come together and get used to playing collegiate golf. This is a solid team all the way through, and we’re only going to get better.”

As a team, the Cougars went 13-over-par in Tuesday’s final round, compiling a three-round total score of 42-over-par (305-300-301--906), just eight shots out of second place. Tournament-host Louisville won the event with a score of 2-over-par.

Bollinger was the Cougar low golfer of the day and the event as she went 1-under-par (71) in the final round with two birdies to finish 5-over-par for the tournament. Her fifth-place finish is the best of her collegiate career.

“This was a great tournament,” said Bollinger. “It’s a great course, and it was just a lot of fun out there. The putts were just dropping.”

Sophomore team co-captain Maggie Yuan and freshman Kelsey Vines both tied for 11th place at 8-over-par. Yuan recorded three birdies in Tuesday’s final round to finish 4-over-par. Vines went +3 on Tuesday after posting the Cougar low score in round two at even par.

“I think it’s really good that anyone can step up at any given time,” said Nyhus. “Everyone on this team is capable of leading us and turning in a great performance.”

Junior Emily Copier turned in a score 23-over-par to finish 55th while senior Shayla Forsey finished 31-over-par to place 71st. Freshman Amanda Keith competed independently and finished tied for 45th at 20-over-par.

The Cougars will next be in action Oct. 5-7 at the Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational.

Napa River Grill Cardinal Cup Results
The Field
1. Louisville +2
2. Kentucky +34
3. Maryland +35
4. Missouri +36
5. Illinois State +40
6. BYU +42
7. Akron +51
8. Southern Mississippi +62
9. Morehead State +72
10. South Florida +73
11. Eastern Kentucky +77
12. Cincinnati +80
BYU +42 (305-300-301--906)
                    
5  J. Bollinger72-78-71--221  +5   
T11  M. Yuan74-74-78--224  +8
T11  K. Vines77-72-75--224  +8
55  E. Copier84-76-79--239  +23
71  S. Forsey82-80-85--247  +31
T45  A. Keith82-79-75--236*  +20
*Golfing independently