Pioneers Claim SLIAC Women's Golf Title
On Tuesday afternoon the Grinnell College Pioneers claimed the 2019 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Women's Golf Championship in their first season as members of the league. Grinnell went wire to wire for the title, posting a new SLIAC Championship record with a team score of 651, besting the previous mark by 19 strokes.
The Pioneers got off to a fast start in the two-round tournament, shooting a 321 on Monday. That mark set another championship record for low round at the championship, topping the previous mark by 11 shots.
Grinnell was powered by sophomore Nina Kouchi, who won the individual title in a playoff. Kouchi carded a 153 for the tournament and set a new championship record for individual low round with her 73 in the first round of the tournament. Kouchi fought her way through an 80 in round two. After a double-bogey on #11 she settled in with back to back pars and closed out the round in similar fashion with pars on her final two holes. Kouchi also tied for a new championship final score with a 153, and won the title on a playoff hole. Kouchi looked confident in the playoffs, with a powerful tee shot down the middle of the fairway and then drilling her second shot that put her in position for a quality up and down.
For the third consecutive year, the SLIAC individual title went to a playoff and for the second time it was Spalding University's Kassidy Wallin forcing the extra hole. Wallin was one stroke behind after day one and posted a 79 in the second round, tying with Kouchi for a new championship final score of 153.
Grinnell won the team title, and the conference automatic qualifier spot, with a score of 651. Danielle Oberlander tied for 6th overall with a 162 and joined Kouchi in earning All-Conference honors.
Illinois College finished in 2nd place with a 663. They were led by Brooke Metzger with a 163, finishing in 8th place. Maggie Cockerill and Haley Walker both shot a 165 and tied for 10th place.
Lake Forest College took 3rd place with a 673 and was led by Amanda Lee with a 158, tying for 4th place.
For a full list of the tournament results click HERE
2019 SLIAC Women's Golf All-Conference Team and Award Winners