By Ricardo Ascencio
The Hawkeye women’s golf team finished ninth in Indianapolis at the Big Ten Championships.
Northwestern and Ohio State each shot 852 (minus-12) to become co-Big Ten Champions. Iowa finished the tournament at ninth place with a 54-hole total of 876.
Despite ending up ninth, Iowa had a silver lining; senior Amy Ihm tied for fourth, earning her a spot on the All-Big Ten Championship team, the first of her career.
As a team, Iowa did not get off to the greatest of starts, placing 10th among the 14 teams.
“We got off to a good start and finished well,” Iowa head coach Megan Menzel said in a release on April 22. “We struggled a bit mid-round, but we were pleased with the way the team finished today. We are looking forward to the challenge of climbing the leaderboard the next two days.”
The Hawkeyes were led by junior Jessie Sindlinger on the first day. Sophomore Jessica Ip also had a notable performance, as she made par or better on 14 holes en route to an even-par 72.
Iowa entered the second day trying to move up. Unfortunately for the Hawkeyes, they were not able to build on the previous day,and they fell to 12th.
Ihm led the way for Iowa in the second round, carding an impressive bogey-free round, highlighted by all 18 holes at or below par, including birdies on Holes 6 and 7.
The Hawkeyes were determined to rebound on the third day after being disappointed in their first two days.
Iowa was able to climb the scoreboard, walking out of the Big Ten Tournament in ninth, thanks to Ihm.
Ihm’s career-low three-round total of 211 (minus-5) broke Iowa’s program record of 212 (minus-4) for individual 54-hole performance previously set by Ip at the Diane Thomason Invitational.
Ihm’s third day helped her to the All-Big Ten Championship team, the conference honor being Iowa first All-Big Ten selection since 1998.
“As a team we are certainly leaving disappointed with our overall finish, but I am proud of this group for moving up today,” Menzel said in a release. “What a great day for Amy, to finish the tournament with a 68 and a new Hawkeye 54-hole record. She has put together an outstanding senior campaign and we are all so happy for her.”
While the Hawks may not have earned the result they had anticipated, Menzel will look to move on from the Big Ten tourney.
“This year has been a team effort, and I am proud of the accomplishments this team has earned,” Menzel said in a release. “This group of players is helping to move Iowa golf in the right direction.”
Fortunately for the Hawkeyes, they will have almost two weeks to hone their skills until NCAA regional on May 5-7, with the location to be determined.
