SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

VERONA, Wis. - The Drake women's golf team finished seventh at the Badger Invitational on Monday (Sept. 26) after firing a three-round total of 949 (317-308-324=949) at the par-72, 6,205-yard Wisconsin Golf Course-University Ridge.

"We struggled a little today in windy and rainy conditions and got off to a rough start in the final 18 holes after a weather delay," Bulldog head coach Leanne Smith commented.  "I was very happy with our second round (308) as that is where I believe we're capable of playing as a team.  We had a few bad holes on one nine with the wind, but those are things we'll work on this week. Overall, I'm excited with where we're headed as a team going into Tulsa next week."

Senior Paige Menze (Oxbow, N.D.) captained the Bulldogs' ship at the event carding a score of 232 (77-78-77=232) to finish tied for eighth.

"I'm very pleased by Paige's performance fighting through and hanging in there to finish tied for eighth," said Smith.

Rounding out the Bulldogs' top five were sophomore Hadley Jennings (Trenton, Mo.), freshman Kimmy Askelson (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), junior Chelsey Falk (Glenwood, Minn.) and senior Christy Wittmer (Hampton, Iowa), who turned in tournament totals of 238 (80-76-82=238/T-23rd), 241 (79-78-84=241/T-30th), 242 (85-76-81=242/33rd) and 258 (81-91-86=258/47th), respectively.

Competing as an individual for the Bulldogs was freshman Danielle Brooks (Red Wing, Minn.), who finished tied for 42nd with a three-round total of 254 (86-83-85=254/T-42nd).

Drake returns to competition at the Bob Hurley Oral Roberts Shootout next Monday (Oct. 3).

Badger Invitational

Team Scoring (54 Holes)

At Verona, Wis.

1. Wisconsin 908 (292-303=908)

2. SMU 918 (304-300=918)

3. Illinois State 929 (310-313=929)

4. Wisconsin "B" 938 (314-311=938)

5. Georgetown 940 (305-316=940)

6. Bucknell 948 (321-314=948)

7. Drake 949 (317-308=949)

8. North Dakota State 958 (314-319=958)

9. Delaware 962 (318-317=962)

10. UIC (Illinois at Chicago) 1,093 (349-372-372=1,093)