Mesa State women’s golf team finished second on the Silver City Golf Course in Silver City, N.M. in the first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference showdown. After a rough first day, the ladies were able to seal second place, shooting a 313 second round total, finishing with 633. Host school Western New Mexico won the two-round tournament with a score of 619.
“It was a tricky course, but we rebounded well,” coach Scott Hansen said. “Western New Mexico knows the course well, obviously. The two of us will be battling it out all season long.”
Junior Jennifer Hilts finished first for the Mavs and tied for second overall with a total score of 152. Reigning RMAC Golfer of the Week Jessica Berve finished just one stroke behind Hilts with a 153. With the weekly honor, Berve isn’t as happy with the personal recognition as she is with the team’s success.
“I’m happy that I could have won an award like that,” Berve said. “I will always be more focused on the team and how we do than anything else.”
Berve won the Sept. 7 and 8 Grizzly Invitational in Alamosa with a score of 149. The way she succeeds on the course challenges her teammates to do better.
“It’s always a challenge amongst ourselves to do better when we watch her play,” sophomore Michelle Stripp said. “She has been a great part of our team and we learn a lot from her.”
Ever since the spring, Stripp has stepped up becoming the team’s third best golfer, She finished third in both events this season, behind Hilts and Berve both times.
“I’m just glad I’m not known as the freshman, anymore,” Stripp said. “I know I have to step it up quite a bit since I have more experience than last year. I started out not so hot last year, but I have just improved my game more and more.”
The ladies teed off in their first and only home invite of the fall Monday at the Bookcliff Country Club. The second RMAC showdown ends Sept. 21 before the Mavs travel to Phoenix, Ariz. to compete in the Grand Canyon Fall Invitational.
u
ahimes@mesastate.edu