Saint Mary's enters the second day of MIAA qualifying play in fourth Friday at Ravines Golf Club in Saugatuck, Michigan.
The Belles sit in fourth place after the first round of the tournament with an overall team score of 365. The second round of the tournament at Ravines Golf Club is a different course than the teams saw in the first round, which was played at Medalist Golf Club in Marshall, Michigan, on April 14. Belles head coach Kim Moore said she knows preparing for the Ravines will be a challenge after playing a completely different course the first time around.
“We are emphasizing using enough club to get our ball to the target, which is something that is extremely important at the Ravines,” Moore said. “You cannot leave your ball short of the green and hope that it rolls up to the putting surface at this course.”
The Belles were led in the first round by sophomore Courtney Carlson, who shot an 81 on the day to end the round in sixth place individually. In a round where many golfers struggled to hit tough shots, Moore said she was happy with the way Carlson operated well under pressure.
“[Courtney] played well, and she did that by putting well, hitting more greens in regulation and getting up and down with her short game,” Moore said.
Carlson and the Belles other co-captain, senior Janice Heffernan, are the leaders for Saint Mary’s in postseason play, but Heffernan did not play in the first qualifying round at Medalist. Freshman Kaitlyn Cartone shot a 91 to finish 17th in the first qualifying round and second on the team.
The Belles last played the Ravines course in a conference round hosted by Hope, finishing in fourth at the meet with a 353 team score, and Moore said the squad’s previous experience on the course will help some of the younger players.
“Both Janice and Courtney have played this course and have been helping out some of our younger players that didn't get a chance to play [the course] when we were there in the fall,” Moore said.
Olivet holds the lead in MIAA qualifying after the first round with a team score of 323, followed by Hope two shots behind at 325 and Trine in third with a score of 343. Olivet was led by junior Kirsten Langer, who shot a 79 on the day. Hope sophomore Britni Gielow led all golfers on the day with a score of 76 for the first round.
Moore said the Belles need to concentrate on course management in the second round in order to dig themselves out of the 42-shot deficit they are currently in to first-place Olivet.
The Belles play the second round of the MIAA tournament at Ravines Golf Club in Saugatuck, Michigan. They are set to tee off at 1:30 p.m.
