Illinois State Women’s Golf Find It’s Form at Mary Fossum Invitational Despite Weather Challenges

EAST LANSING, Mic. — The Illinois State Redbirds competed in the Mary Fossum Invitational for the first time in 22 years. The Redbirds battled a slow start and tough weather throughout the weekend en route to an eighth-place finish

The Redbirds were scheduled to play 36 holes on Sunday and 18 more on Monday, making the whole tournament 54 holes. However, the tournament format was altered due to the weather and was cut down to just 36 total holes.

When the delay took place, the Redbirds were tied for last place but when play resumed, they battled back to eight place to finish the first round.

Some impressive individual performances helped the Redbirds get back in the mix.

Senior Regan Kennedy was the Redbirds’ top performer on Sunday finishing with a 76, four over par. Through the first day Kennedy was able to finish in the top 15 individually. In particular, her ability to convert on par threes was the driving factor for her strong day, Kennedy finished tied for the second-best par three scoring average in the tournament.

Freshman Xuan “Hazel” Gao finished right behind Kennedy with a score of 78 on day one, good enough to put Gao in a tie for 27th place.

Another newcomer, freshman Cora Hirz had a solid day shooting 8-over-par 80. Hirz recorded four birdies on day one, which was tied for the most in the round.

Alex Sparrow and Cynthia Lang rounded out the Redbird golfers with Sparrow shooting 81 and Lang shooting 86. Sparrow finished the day tied for 50th, while Lang finish tied for 78th.

After day one Delaware led the pack with a total score of 298. The rest of the top five included Michigan State (301), Central Michigan (302), Rutgers (305), and Youngstown State (306). The Redbirds finished strong with a team score of 315, moving into eighth place after being tied for last following the weather delay.

On the final day of the Mary Fossum Invitational the Redbirds put together another solid round, shooting 311, which was the seventh best team score of the round.

The freshman duo of Cora Hirz and Cynthia Lang led the charge for ISU, each shooting 77 on Monday. Alex Sparrow finished round with a 78, Xuan “Hazel” Gao shot 79, and Reagan Kennedy shot 81 to round out the Redbirds starting five.

Hirz, Gao and Kennedy finished tied for 29th at the event, while Sparrow finished 48th and Lang finished 60th.

Hirz totaled four birdies on day two to give her eight birdies throughout the tournament. Hirz also tied Regan Kennedy for the second-best par-three average of the event. Both redbirds averaged a 3.0 strokes on par threes.

Lang played a steady round on day two with 13 pars and a birdie. Sparrow was right behind her with 12 pars and a birdie.

The Redbirds finished the two-day, 36 hole event with a total team score of 626, putting them in eighth in the final standings. Delaware held on to first place after day two, finishing with a score of 599. Central Michigan (603), Michigan State (608), Rutgers (609), Bowling Green (609), Findlay (610) and Youngstown State (624) all finished ahead of the Redbirds’ 626.

The Redbirds will compete in the Coyote Creek Classic on Oct. 4 at Coyote Creek Golf Course in Bensonville, Illinois.

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