OXBOW, N.D. -- The University of North Dakota women's golf team closed its opening tournament of the 2024-25 season on Wednesday at the NDSU Invitational from Oxbow Country Club in Oxbow, N.D.
As a team, the Fighting Hawks finished second with a team score of 622 (+46) in a battle of tough conditions over the two-day, 36-hole event. Facing off against blustery winds and even some rain on the final day, NoDak improved its score by 12 strokes over the last 18 holes to finish with a nine-shot lead over South Dakota in third place.
Kylie Warner picked up right where she left off last season, finishing as the top scorer for the green and white with a 155 (+11) to card a top-10 finish in ninth. The score was the best of her young career over a 36-hole event, besting her previous record by three strokes after shooting a 76 (+4) over the final 18 holes.
Freshman
Nikki Bowen also put together a strong collegiate debut, sitting tied for 10th and just one stroke behind Warner with a 156 (+12). The rookie shined on the final day, dropping eight shots off her score with a team-best 74 (+2) headlined by four birdies, including three on the back-9.
Lily Bredemeier and
Emersyn Walker both just missed the top-10 as well, with Bredemeier placing 12th with a 157 (+13) and Walker sitting tied for 13th at 158 (+14). Walker had a strong day despite the blustery conditions on Tuesday, sitting in the top-5 through the opening 18 holes with a 77 (+5), while Bredemeier surged on the final day with a 76 (+4).
Gigi Lund and
Erin Johnson each rounded out the scoring for the Hawks, finishing 15th (160, +16) and tied for 16th (163, +19), respectively. Lund edged out her previous personal best over 36 holes by one stroke to join Warner, Bredemeier,
Lindsey Astrup and
Riley Crothers as golfers who set a new career mark at the event.
In addition to the six members of the team lineup, five other Hawks played as individuals, with Astrup (164, +20) and Crothers (164, +20) tying for 19th to each record their first top-20 finish of their careers. Rookies
Annika Jyrkas and
Jaya Grube also made their collegiate debuts, finishing 24th (167, +23) and 28th (172, +28), respectively.
North Dakota will head right back to the course next week for the Powercat Invitational, hosted by Kansas State, beginning on Monday, Sept. 9 from Colbert Hills Golf Club in Manhattan, Kan.
For more information on North Dakota women's golf, follow on social media @UNDwgolf or visit FightingHawks.com.
