Loncki leads Athenas to win in SCIAC #1
SAN DIMAS, Calif. – In the first conference tournament of 2017, the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's golf team took a 12-stroke lead after the first round and then increased that to win by 21. The Athenas were led my junior Margaret Loncki (CMC) who posted the low round on each day, ultimately winning the individual medal by 10 strokes.
Both rounds were played on the San Dimas Canyon Golf Course with a par 72 and 5,856 yards. The Athenas used the dual tournament with Chapman the week prior to practice competing on the course, and it definitely paid off.
The first day, all six of the Athenas scoring for the team were in the top-11 of the 41-player field. Loncki was tied for first with Valerie Wang of Pomona-Pitzer while freshmen Eunice Song (CMC) and Emma Kang (CMC) each shot 82 to tie for fourth place. On the day, Kang recorded four birdies and was the only player 1-under on par 5 holes.
Despite wet conditions, occasional rain showers, and no ability to warm up on the range before Sunday's round, the Athenas improved on their score from Saturday to win the tournament with a 649. Freshman Taylor Hughes (CMC) wrapped up the tournament leading the field with 19 pars, closely followed by Song at 17. CMS earned the win with its consistency. Five Athenas – Hughes, Loncki, Cara Brinster (CMC), Kang and Song – posted the lowest scores on par fives in the whole tournament.
Loncki's consistency earned her the individual win. With a 75 on Sunday, she created separation from PP's Wang who ended up in a tie for tenth. Last year's NCAA Individual Champion, Redlands' Caroline Ordian improved from an 83 to an 80 but was unable to make up enough ground to catch Loncki. "I'm really proud of the team for grinding through this weekend. We adapted well to the conditions and were still able to play consistently," said Loncki reflecting on the tournament.
Also finishing in the top-10 for CMS was Song in third (164), Hughes in fourth (165), Kang in sixth (166), and Kelly Ransom (CMC) in seventh (168).
Next up for the Athenas is the DIII National Spring Preview in Houston, Texas. The tournament will be played at Bay Oaks Country Club Mar. 13-14.
By Emily Nordhoff
Sports Information Director
CMS Email Updates
CMS Athletics on Facebook: AthleticsCMS
CMS Athletics on Twitter: AthleticsCMS
CMS Athletics on Instagram: cmsathletics
CMS Athletics YouTube: ClaremontMuddScripps
#goathenas #gostags