McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Playing on her newfound home course at Michelbook Country Club, Linfield rookie Abigail Heringer medaled for the first time in her collegiate career at the Linfield/Lewis & Clark Dual. The Pioneers, however, took home the team trophy from the one-day tournament, contested on a sunny and warm Sunday afternoon.
Heringer carded a 79, seven strokes over par, to edge Lewis & Clark's Claire Burke (80). The freshman Wildcat hit for birdie on the par-5 seventh hole, and for par seven times on the back nine.
Alexandria Smith and Maggie Harlow both posted top-10 finishes with sub-90 scores.
Smith shot an 84 over 18 holes, good for sole possession of fourth place. Relying on solid chipping, Linfield's most veteran golfer shot six over on both the front and back nine, hitting for par eight times in total. Harlow was two strokes and two places behind Smith. The sophomore fared better on the back nine, hitting for par six times, including each of the final three holes to finish in sixth place with an 86.
Erin Crofcheck rounded out the scoring quartet for the Wildcats with a 109. It was a career-low for the first-year golfer, who finished in ninth place.
Collectively, Linfield totaled 358 strokes, 21 more than Lewis & Clark (337). Like the Wildcats, the Pioneers had three players shot under 90 for the single round. On the whole, Linfield's golfers had more success with their long game than on the greens.
“A couple [of players] were a little inconsistent in terms of direction, but overall the team hit the ball well,” said head coach Brynn Hurdus. “We could have shaved quite a few strokes putting.”
With the Northwest Conference Fall Classic, the first major tournament that counts toward the team championship looming on the horizon, Hurdus has a simple plan of attack for the practices leading up to the weekend.
“I'm just going to have them play,” Hurdus said. “In the practice area, everyone does really well. They know it like the back of their hand. But it's different out on the course.”
COMING UP: Stone Creek Golf Club in Oregon City is the site of the NWC Fall Classic, scheduled for Oct. 26-27.
