Redbirds Show Fight, Close Strong at Valspar Augusta Invitational

Image courtesy of Illinois State Athletics.

NORMAL, Ill.- Illinois State women’s golf closed out the 2026 Valspar Augusta Invitational on Sunday in Augusta, Georgia, with a strong final-round push that featured standout invitational efforts and a late move up the team leaderboard.

Day 1

The Redbirds made a push during the second round of the 2026 Valspar Augusta Invitational. Heading into Sunday’s final 18 holes, the Redbirds sat in 17th place and had positioned themselves to make a strong move up the leaderboard. 

After 36 holes, Missouri led the field with a score of 564. Furman followed at 573, with Kentucky (575), Indiana (583), and Minnesota (583) rounding out the top five.

The biggest moment came from Dani Grace Schrock. Starting her round on hole 16, Schrock delivered a highlight in the second round with a hole-in-one on her seventh hole of the day.

Elise Fennell led the way for the Redbirds so far. The sophomore opened with a 2-over 74 and followed with a 3-over 75, totaling 149 through two rounds. With six birdies and 21 pars, she was tied for 35th heading into the final round.

Reagan Kennedy and Alex Sparrow were tied for 69th place, each posting a 157. Kennedy shot rounds of 78 and 79, tallying three birdies and 18 pars, while Sparrow recorded scores of 81 and 76, also finishing with three birdies and 18 pars.

Schrock, boosted by her hole-in-one, sat in 87th place after rounds of 82 and 83, adding a birdie and 16 pars across the two rounds. Reagan Baker rounded out the lineup in 88th place with scores of 88 and 90.

Day 2

A final-round team score of 304, Illinois State’s best of the tournament, pushed the Redbirds ahead of Northern Illinois in the final standings.

Missouri, ranked No. 34, led the strong field and won the three-round event with a team score of 862. Furman (866), No. 37 Kentucky (869), No. 41 Indiana (877) and Minnesota *880) rounded out the top five. ISU finished with an 832.

The Redbirds were led by the reigning MVC Freshman of the Year, who finished her tournament with an even-par 72 in the final round and a three-round total of 221. She closed strong, recording four birdies over her final holes and totaling five birdies and eight pars of the day. For the tournament, her 11 birdies were tied for the fourth-most in the field, while her 4.75 scoring average on par-5s ranked seventh.

Alex Sparrow closed with a round featuring 14 pars and one birdie, as her 3-over 75 brought her total to 232, tying her for 60th. Reagan Kennedy recorded a 76 in the final round with one birdie and 12 pars, finishing at 233 and tied for 65th.

Dani Grace Schrock shot an 81 in the final round of a 246 total, recording 10 pars, while Reagan Braker carded an 11-over 83 with one birdie and six pars to finish at 261.

The Redbirds return to action the following Monday through Wednesday at the Ozarks National invitational, hosted by Missouri State at Ozarks National Golf Club in Holland, Missouri.

For all things Redbird golf, stay tuned to wznd.com.