Despite a first-place individual finish from Janice Heffernan, Saint Mary’s placed fourth Tuesday afternoon in the MIAA Jamboree at the Ravines Golf Club in Saugatuck, Michigan, with a team score of 353. The result put the Belles in third place overall in the conference after three league meets.
The senior Heffernan narrowly bested Hope sophomore Britni Gielow for individual honors, shooting a 78, compared to Gielow's 79. However, the Flying Dutch took the team title by 22 strokes, relying heavily on their depth. They placed all five of their golfers inside the top 10, and had three players tie for fourth place. In comparison, the Belles’ highest finisher behind Heffernan was sophomore Ali Mahoney, who tied for 14th. Sophomore Courtney Carlson was close behind Mahoney in 16th place wit ha score of 91.
With the win, Hope maintained its top spot in the MIAA, earning its second-best finish of the 2014 campaign with a score of 319. Olivet and Trine also beat the Belles on Tuesday, earning second and third place with scores of 341 and 351, respectively. Adrian and Calvin tied to round out the top five, finishing at 374.
In terms of the season, Hope’s performance Tuesday brought its season score total to 967, further solidifying its first-place position with just three matches remaining in MIAA play.
Heading into the round, the Belles were in a position to overtake second place after a successful Jamboree at Alma on Saturday. However, they slipped into third place after Tuesday. Their 1015 stroke total is two strokes behind now-second-place Olivet and 48 strokes behind first-place Hope.
The MIAA Jamboree is a six-match tournament between the nine conference members to determine the fall season's conference champion. Whichever team has the lowest stroke count earns the conference crown.
The Belles posted their best mark of the season Saturday, finishing second in the MIAA Jamboree with a team score of 324 at Pine River Country Club in Alma, Michigan.
Carlson finished in second place overall in the Alma leg of the MIAA Jamboree with a score of 78.
Rounding out the Belles lineup, freshmen Kelsey Conkright and Kaitlyn Cartone placed in the top 40. Conkright earned a score of 94 and sole possession of 26th place. Four strokes behind her, Catrone scored a 99, which was good enough to tie for 37th place.
The Belles are back in MIAA conference action this weekend, when they travel to Lenawee Country Club in Adrian, Michigan on Saturday, as they seek to regain possession of second place.
