WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. ---The Bethel University Women's Golf team competed in the Saddlebrook Spring Kickoff from Tuesday, March 4 to Thursday, March 6. The Pilots came away with a runner-up finish at the event, hosted by Walsh University.
The Pilots finished second behind No. 4 Marian University in the seven-team field, featuring three NCAA D2 programs. High winds and heavy rains were a major factor as the Pilots competed for the first time after a five-month layoff over the winter, and struggled in round two with a team score of 341.
The teams scores were as follows:
| Place |
Team |
Scores |
| 1 |
Marian |
310-323-323 (956) |
| 2 |
Bethel |
325-341-332 (998) |
| 3 |
McKendree |
345-332-338 (1015) |
| 4 |
Walsh |
346-349-350 (1045) |
| 5 |
Northern Michigan |
348-363-360 (1071) |
| 6 |
Indiana East |
535-362-373 (1088) |
| 7 |
Saint Xavier |
DNF |
In the first day of competition, Bethel posted a respectable score of 325. Freshman
Izzy Aigner paced Bethel in the opening round with an impressive score of 77 (+5).
The Pilots did bounce back a bit on the final round with a 331 score to outpace the third place team McKendree University by 17 strokes.
Bethel had three players finish in the top 11, led by
Selah Unwin, who finished in 5th place.
Freshmen
Izzy Aigner and
Megan Bishop shared 10th place, and fellow freshman
Karisa Dyer placed 11
th overall.
Coach
Christopher Hess stated, "While we certainly didn't play our best golf, I was really happy with the way we competed after such a long layoff. We don't typically play in events this early in the spring, so it was a great opportunity to see where we can get to work in the weeks to come as we prepare for a great schedule the rest of the way. These ladies have high expectations, and I know they'll do everything they can to compete at a high level as we go forward."
The Pilots will next compete from Friday, March 21 to Saturday, March 22 in the Heritage Hill Collegiate. The event will be hosted by Lawrence Tech University in Shepherdsville, KY, at the Heritage Hill Golf Course.
For more information about Bethel Pilots Athletics, check out
bupilots.com or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube by searching @bupilots or using the hashtag #AnchorUp for updates on all 31 Bethel Pilots sports.
