GOLF

The Forester golf program competed in the Players Club Invitational at the Players Club at Woodland Trails in Yorktown over the weekend where the women finished seventh and the men claimed sixth.

Danielle Tinsley and Alexandria Maris played within a stroke of each other to pace HU with a 165 (84-81) and 166 (86-80) respectively. For Maris, her second-day score of 80 proved Huntington’s low score of the invitational. The pair took 22nd and 23rd out of 38 golfers.

“Danielle is having a strong start to college career and led the way in scoring for us by a stroke,” said Coach Sholund. “Alex is settling into her senior year and showed good composure in round two.”

Katie Springer turned in a 187 (96-91) for 34th place. Lauren Slottke shot a 191 (95-96) while Akira Seals posted a 220 (115-105).

“Katie is growing as a college player and it is fun to watch,” said Sholund. “When she gains more trust in herself, she will hit that next level.

“Lauren and Akira did well in working through all that goes on in a first college tournament and showed a lot of promise. They will both improve on consistency as they get more comfortable with college golf. They did a great job filling in for Lexy and Abby.”

Sholund is optimistic about the future of his team. “I am excited about the direction of this team. They are competing for every shot and we are seeing strings of great holes. As they get more competitive at practice and continue to make gains on the short game, the scoring will continue to get lower.”

Taylor won their own invitational with a 603 followed by Indiana Wesleyan (612), Dalton State (613), Taylor B (656), IU Kokomo (681), Mount Vernon (686) and HU (709).

For the HU men, it was their season opener. Transfer Dillon McFaddin kicked off his Forester career with a bang to finish the invite with eight birdies, the second highest in the field, on his way to firing a three-over-par 75 each day. The Williams (Ind.) native’s 150 proved good for 7th place out of 35 golfers.

Chance Bressler carded a 155 (76-79) for 17th place. David Beck added a 158 (82-76) which landed him the #23 spot. Three Foresters in Mitchell Wilson (91-81), Colby Martin (86-86) and Carter Roseboom (86-86) tied for 31st by carding a 172.

“This was a good start as a team to the season,” said Sholund. “The consistency in scoring on day two was good to see and a sign that they are focusing as a team on the right things. We had several rounds that were in position to be much lower.

“As we keep putting ourselves in position for lower rounds, we will gain the confidence to close them out. I am proud of how coachable this group is and the work they are putting in at practice. They are playing for each other well and that will lead to great things for us.”

Taylor posted a 578 to take the title followed by Taylor B (600), Indiana Wesleyan (603), Indiana Wesleyan B (611), IU Kokomo (623) and HU (630).

The Forester men are back in action Monday and Tuesday to play in the Battle at Blackthorn hosted by Bethel while the HU women are off until September 19 when they compete in the Indiana Tech Invitational.