The Fort Lewis College women’s golf team beat the previous program low mark for a round Friday afternoon at the first day of the Mustang Intercollegiate hosted by Western New Mexico University at Palm Valley Golf Course in Goodyear, Arizona.
The Skyhawks shot a 24-over-par 312 as a team and took down the old record of 320. FLC sits in 14th with Saturday’s round still to play. In addition to breaking the program record, Fort Lewis also had good individual performances, as Summer Vigil sits in fourth place, after she shot a 1-under 71. Vigil is one shot off the lead, as three players shot 2-under 70.
Colorado State University-Pueblo has the lead after it shot a 4-over 292. Two teams are tied for second, as West Texas A&M and the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, both shot an 8-over 296 as a team.
“The team really came together today and played great golf against ranked competition,” said Fort Lewis College head coach Jim Foltz. “The girls kept their head in the game and they closed the deal. I was very pleased standing on 18 as they came up one at a time, and it just clicked. I think we’re peaking before the RMAC Tournament in two weeks, and that’s huge for us.”
Vigil, a junior from Albuquerque, had four birdies, including on the 14th hole when she drained a 25-foot putt. She had 11 pars and almost ended the day with another birdie, but her putt on the 18th hole lipped out.
“I just had a really good vibe going with me today, and it kept me going the whole day and it didn’t seem to falter,” Vigil said. “I really wanted that putt to go down on 18, but even still I was super pleased with my performance. I am looking forward to tomorrow and seeing where the next round takes me. I feel great and want to build off of today.”
Foltz said Vigil had been playing well all spring but said Friday’s round was different.
“Summer had that look in her eyes where she was just on a roll,” Foltz said. “She had some great approach shots and was excellent in her putting today. She has been in this position before, but something doesn’t go down, and slips a bit. Not today; she was rock solid from the opening tee.”
Isabella Martinez sits tied in 31st after she had 12 pars and one birdie No. 18 to go into the clubhouse with a 4-over 76.
“Overall, I am extremely proud of the way they performed and the way they kept their heads in the game when things did not go exactly the way they wanted it to,” Foltz said. “Today was phenomenal, and I am hoping tomorrow is even better.”
bploen@durangoherald.com
