Middle of the pack

Bulldogs finish seventh out of 14 teams at GVSU Classic

After a short break from competition last week, the Bulldogs women’s golf team traveled to play in the Grand Valley State Laker Classic over the weekend.

After a chilly first day, the team ended in seventh place out of 14 teams.

“It wasn’t our finest showing, but we had a decent day,” assistant coach Dr. Phil Walling said.

The Bulldogs shot a 236 as a team on the first day of the tournament. Among the top three players ending the day was junior Erin Fuchik, with a score of 77, finishing at the 12th spot overall of the day. Fuchik finished the tournament at 159, good for 24th place.

Junior Bryce Hetchler notched an 81 in the opening round and junior Blaize Baumgartner put up an 85.

“They did pretty good, and their spirits are up,” said Walling. “Everyone just had a few bad shots and swings. We worked afterwards and we’re trying to get back on track.”

After the first day concluded, the Bulldogs were the only team to go back on the course and practice. That practice paid off in the following round, as the team shot a score of 314, pulling into 7th place to end the day. Ferris posted an overall scoring total of 640 for the tournament.

Leading the way for the Bulldogs was sophomore Ashley Swanson, who finished in a six-way tie for 18th with a score of 157. Hetchler, Baumgartner and freshman Emily Rohdy finished the tournament at 165, good for a four-way tie for 36th place.

Junior captain Brooke Rodes came in 63rd place with a score of 182 for the weekend.

The Bulldogs will return to competition again next weekend as they face off against Findlay at the William Bing-Beall Classic on Oct. 9-10. n