The golf teams of Dixie State University are making their mark in the 2015 Pacific West Conference Golf Championships hosted by DSU this week.
Women’s golf
Women’s golf was in second place after the first day of the tournament with an overall score of 313, only 14 shots behind tournament leader, California Baptist University, at 299.
Junior Hannah Folks, a communication major from St. George, said the Storm are in a good spot right now as long as they keep pushing themselves to go lower in scoring and stay consistent.
“We’ve had our ups and downs like any team will, but it’s the last event of the year here at home so we want to finish the season strong,” she said.
With impressive shots made by senior Haley Dunn, the team made a solid start. After 18 holes, Dunn finished at 1-over-par for a 73 on day one to tie for first place overall. Dunn birdied four holes on the day, including three on the back nine.
Other competitors in the three-day tournament include junior Brittney Bisgrove, who placed 11th after the first day with a score of 78; junior Shelby Madden, who was one stroke behind Bisgrove at 79 to tie for 13th; sophomore Cobair Collinsworth, tied for 21st after shooting an 83; and Folks, recording an 88 to tie for 29th overall.
Head coach Rachel Harmon said the women have utilized their patience and worked on preparing mentally for this tournament. The women have different weaknesses, which makes the tournament different for each of them.
“My strength is my accuracy most of the time; I tend to stay out of trouble because I can keep it on grass, as well as my putting,” Folks said. “I’m not a long hitter, so my short game and accuracy are what usually makes up for my lack of distance.”
Harmon said the team has been preparing for this since the beginning of the school year.
“We have spent a comfortable amount of time at Sunbrook, getting ready for the course and the greens,” she said. “The ladies are sitting in a good spot after [Monday’s] play and they know they have room to improve.”
Men’s golf
The men of Dixie State were also successful in the first day of the conference tournament.
The men of Dixie State, who are currently ranked No. 22 in the nation, finished first overall in the first day of the tournament, shooting 2-under with an overall score of 287. Head coach Brad Sutterfield said he expects to see the team with a strong finish.
Junior Kenny You, previously named Pacific West Conference golfer of the week, tied for second with James Coon, from Hawaii-Hilo University, shooting a 3-under 69.
Freshman Donny Hopoi was right behind his teammate and tied for third shooting a 2-under par 70. He birdied a pair of holes on his first nine and another pair on his final nine, good for fourth individually with a 70.
The three other contestants representing the Storm were freshman Dane Nelson, who scored 73 in round one, junior Connor Van Guilder was one stroke behind with a 74, and senior Cody Wass, as the fifth golfer for DSU, scored 83.
