The Baker University women’s golf team ended its spring season by placing second in the HAAC Tournament Monday and Tuesday at Alvamar Golf Course in Lawrence.
The Wildcats entered Tuesday’s round in fourth place, behind Lindenwood University, Avila University and William Jewell College, but improved 18 strokes from Monday’s round to Tuesday’s round to place second.
“I think first and foremost, all of the players and I were really disappointed with the way we performed (Monday),” head coach Karen Exon said. “We really felt like (Tuesday’s) round was a better indication of how we have played all year long.”
The Wildcats were the only team in the tournament to have each of its five golfers shoot less than 100 strokes in Tuesday’s round.
BU had two top-10 individual finishers in junior Stacy Yowell and senior Dani Weimholt, who placed seventh and 10th, respectively.
Yowell was named an all-conference performer by placing in the top eight individuals in the tournament.
Lindenwood won the tournament by 88 strokes and placed four out of its five golfers in the top five.
However, the ‘Cats were still very pleased with their second-place finish.
“It was really meaningful because it was conference,” Weimholt said. “We worked hard and did a lot of work to achieve that. We are very proud.”
Although none of the players were able to qualify for the national tournament May 14-20 in Greenville, Tenn., Exon was asked by the NAIA to serve on the national tournament committee.
“I have done a lot of work this semester with the NAIA to organize and prepare for the national championship,” Exon said.
The men’s golf team will play in its conference tournament Monday and Tuesday at Deer Run Golf Club in Hamilton, Ill. The Wildcats will begin the 54-hole tournament by playing the first 36 holes Monday, then coming back to play the last 18 holes Tuesday.
“All of us didn’t play up to our capabilities this past week, so I really expect us five, who have definitely been our strongest (players) so far this season, to really step up and play better because it is conference,” junior Michael Wissmann said. “This is kind of what we play for the whole year and build up the whole season for.”
Wissmann will be joined by freshman Andy Kelley, sophomore Mason Dick, junior Jacob Draisey and senior Adam Taylor to complete the squad of five varsity players.
“My expectation is that the guys are probably primed, if they keep their wits about them and they don’t press, to play some pretty good golf,” Exon said.
