Greg MakosDaily Egyptian
After more than a week off, the SIU women's golf team returns to the links today at the Rio Verde Collegiate Invitational.
The Salukis will attempt to improve from a disappointing near last place finish at the Islander Spring Classic. They will be competing in an 18-team field that includes Big Ten Conference members Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and the Salukis' Missouri Valley Conference rivals Bradley and Missouri State.
At the Islander Spring Classic on Feb. 20, junior Josie Lowder shot the best overall score for the Salukis and finished tied for twenty-fifth place with a two-day score of 233. The team's best individual round came on the final day of competition from sophomore Christine Zoerlein. After a disappointing 85 on opening day, Zoerlein responded with a 73. Zoerlin finished tied for thirty-first with a total of 236.
Juniors Samantha Sutzer and Abby Johnson, along with freshman Braidy Hood, are especially determined to show improvement. All three shot several scores in excess of 80 and finished with a score of 249. Head coach Diane Daugherty called the first competition "spring training" and remained positive about her team.
"There were some bright spots out of everyone," Daugherty said. "I am very, very optimistic if we can pick up where we left off."
The three-day competition is being held at the White Wing Golf Course in Rio Verde, Ariz.
