After canceling the first round of the Heart of America Athletic Conference tournament, the women’s golf team came back Tuesday to capture third place at Missouri Valley College.

Both freshman Stacy Yowell and sophomore Krista Yaktine snagged a spot on the HAAC all-conference team. Yowell placed fourth overall, while Yaktine was eighth.

“I kind of started off rocky this spring after my injury in the fall,” Yowell said. “I knew this was the kind of golf I could play, and so did coach.”

The Wildcats were topped by nationally ranked Lindenwood University and placed behind Avila University by 15 strokes.<br/>Avila has been a huge rival for Baker all season, Yowell said.Avila has been a huge rival for Baker all season, Yowell said.
Avila has been a huge rival for Baker all season, Yowell said.

“We didn’t play the game we wanted to,” she said. “We know the potential is there now for us next year. Avila is losing their No. 1 player, so we will have a little advantage there next year.”

Yowell led the Wildcats, scoring an 81 for 18 holes. Yaktine was six strokes behind, while senior Melissa Brown scored an 89. 

Head coach Karen Exon said she has been happy with the team’s play all season and is excited for next year with her seasoned players and incoming freshmen.

“I was pleased with our efforts,” she said. “It has been a pleasure to work with them all year. They all get along well, which is difficult sometimes when you’re playing an individual sport.”

Although the weather has made the spring season rough, Exon said the team couldn’t have asked for better weather at the home tournament April 22.

After weeks of rain and cold weather, the teams played in 80-degree weather and light winds. The men finished fifth at Alvamar Golf Club, while the women took first.

Exon said she organized the tournament to mimic the HAAC tournament by having the men play 36 holes the first day and 18 the second. The women played 18 both days.

Senior PJ Matulka said the tournament was a great opportunity to practice for their upcoming HAAC tournament.

“It was a good opportunity for us to play competitive rounds at Alamar, which is where we’re going to play conference,” Matulka said.

“We definitely could have played better, but it gives us a good idea of what we need to do.”

Junior Gavin Tatrn placed seventh overall with a combined score of 240.  Matulka placed 13th, six strokes behind Tatrn.

The women took first out of only three teams and have finished their season.

The men will host the conference tournament Monday and Tuesday at Alvamar.