Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Saluki Invitational
SIU Golfers Finish Third in Saluki Invitational
04/13/2001 | 12:00:00 | Women's Golf
March 26, 2001
The weather didn't warm up a bit, but both Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Jennifer Shutt and Ohio University were blazing hot Monday as both won the Seventh Annual Saluki Invitational hosted by the Saluki women?s golf team at Hickory Ridge Golf Course.
"I felt a lot more consistent today," Shutt said. "Yesterday I had that triple (bogie) that set me back, but today I didn't have anything real dumb. My shots were basically down the middle or just a little off to the side. I have learned since I've been to college that what you shoot in the past, while it might have been dumb, is best forgotten since you can't change it. I have played golf for I don't know how long and I think this is where I need to be right now. Playing golf in college is tough and this course is tough even without the wind and the cold and I don't think I've played this course this well ever before."
Shutt shot a 75 in the second round to go with her 74 the first day to win the individual title with a two-day score of 149 beating out Jennifer Polus of Southwest Missouri State by three strokes. Her 149 tied teammate Alison Hiller for the lowest 36-hole score in the invitational's history which Hiller accomplished two years ago. Shutt shot a 151 ten days ago to finish tied for second at the Snowbird Intercollegiate in Tampa, Fla.
"Jennifer was great," SIU coach Diane Daugherty said. "Actually Jennifer has shot four good rounds this spring. She shot 73 and 78 in Florida and then came out with a 74 and 75 here. I am as proud of Jennifer as I can be. She has learned she doesn't have to hit every shot perfect to score. It is not that she all of a sudden has a new golf swing or new clubs rather she has some new confidence that she can get it up and down. She knows that no matter where she hits it she is going to find it and play it. She had two triples in Florida and one here yesterday and a couple bogies today, but she has played very solid despite them."
SIU finished the tournament in third place with a team score of 636 three strokes behind Ohio University. SIU started the second day in first place by seven strokes over Bradley University and nine strokes over Ohio. But Ohio came out blazing in the 30 degree temperatures to shoot a team score of 310 while SIU shot a colder 322 after posting a 314 the day before. Bradley started the day in second and shot a 313 to finish only one stroke off the pace set by the Bobcats.
" But, I'm disappointed," Daugherty said. " 322 is not all that bad, but besides Jennifer shooting a 75 and Amy Rankin my freshman shooting an 82 I am not happy with everyone else's score and they are not happy with it either. If that was the best they were capable of then I'd be happy, but I know they can do better."
The remainder of the Saluki finishers were Alison Hiller tied for 12th at 161, Liz Uthoff tied for 14th at 162, Amy Rankin tied for 16th at 164, Andrea Turner tied for 29th at 170 and Megan Tarrolly tied for 44th at 174. Kendra Jo Hood and Ashley Welch played as individuals with Hood shooting a 161 to finish tied for 12th and Welch shooting a 168 good for a tie for 25th.
The Salukis have a week off before heading to Bloomington, Indiana to play in the Indiana University Women?s Invitational April 7-8.
