PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. – Stella Fergin's top-ten finish led Whitworth's women to tenth place at the tough UC Santa Cruz Invitational on Saturday and Sunday at the Pacific Grove Golf Links.
The Pirates shot 326-319 – 645 to take tenth out of 14 schools. Nine of the schools are ranked among the top-50 in NCAA Division III, including Whitworth (#47).
The final team scores were: Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 603, UCSC 615, Redlands 616, George Fox 621, Cal Lutheran 621, Pomona-Pitzer 623, Pomona-Pitzer B 630, Occidental 632, Chapman 642, Whitworth 645, Whitman 666, Wis.-Whitewater 671, UCSC B 676, Mount Union 680.
Fergin was in the hunt for medalist honors after shooting a round of 74 (+2) on the first day. She followed that with a 77 on Sunday for a two-round total of 151 (+7) to tie for sixth place with four other players. Savanah Christenson won the tournament with a score of 72-74 – 144 (+2).
Ashley Maki (83-77 – 160) moved up eight spots in the standings on Sunday to tie for 34th place. Carolyn Rose (84-79 – 163) also moved up eight positions on Sunday into a tie for 42nd place.
Rosalind Nordberg (85-86 – 171) tied for 61st and Erin Pierce (88-87 – 175) tied for 73rd.
The Pirates will play at the NWC Spring Classic this coming weekend in Longwood, Washington at Oakbrook CC. Whitworth goes into the tournament in fourth place in the standings, but only four strokes out of second place and eight strokes behind George Fox for first place.
