Story by Sarah Combs, Staff writer
The women’s golf team finished second collectively in the Jan Weaver Invitational last weekend, which was their only home tournament at Frances E. Miller Memorial Golf Course.
The Racers closed the invitational with a scorecard of 309-310-319 – 938 behind Morehead State who scored 312-312-311 – 935, only a five-shot gap.
The Racers pushed through difficult course conditions the first day, struggled the second day, but finished second as a team and had an individual medalist to end the weekend.
Sophomore from Tranas, Sweden, Moa Folke tagged her first college tournament win at the 54-hole event with 75-76-72 – 223, just two strokes ahead of Morehead State’s Katie Rice who finished scoring 78-75-72 – 225.
Moa Folke from Tranas, Sweden, hits an approach shot at the Jan Weaver Invitational last weekend.
Faced with a situation similar to last week, Folke adjusted and pulled out the win on the last day, shooting even par. Folke improved her third day from last week by three strokes, shooting 75 in the Rebel Intercollegiate and 72 on her home course. Folke looks forward to carrying her momentum and improvement into her second appearance in the OVC Championship.
Last year, she shot 26 over par, which placed her in a five-way tie for 31st position.
Head Coach Velvet Milkman said the win gives Folke momentum going into the OVC Championship.
“She learned from her mistakes from the week before,” Milkman said. “That was the difference between her winning and losing. I’m really proud of her.”
The Racers finished sixth last year, and if the Racers win the OVC Championship, it will be the first time since 2014.
The 54-hole OVC Tournament course is known for its vast amount of greens with a lot of break and Milkman is preparing her team appropriately by working on putting speed and the 5-6 footers that have break with them, which will help improve their short game.
Sydney Trimble, junior from Paducah, Kentucky, walks on the green carrying Murray State equipment.
“We certainly have the talent to win. We have won in the past so they know what it means to win,” Milkman said. “I’m excited about the week, we are in a good position. We just have to be patient with ourselves the first couple of days.”
Junior from Paducah, Kentucky, Sydney Trimble has been a force for the Racers this season and grabbed 19th place with scores of 79-78-81 – 238. Trimble is optimistic about the upcoming weekend and said her team will arrive prepared.
“With anything, I think working hard beats any kind of talent out there,” Trimble said. “With Velvet [Milkman] as our coach we have definitely worked hard. We have been through all of the conditions so I think we are prepared and ready for what’s ahead of us.”
The Racers are preparing for the upcoming OVC Championship in Owen’s Crossing, Alabama.