Playing at its home away from home, the Fort Lewis College women’s golf team concluded the fall semester with its annual Nick Turner Invitational, hosted at Arroyo Del Oso Golf Course in Albuquerque.
The Skyhawks finished 11th overall as a team with a tournament score of +67 (643) — just one shot back of RMAC rival Regis for 10th place — in a loaded field that featured 14 teams making the trek down to the Land of Enchantment.
“It was a great tournament and great venue. The girls and coaches really loved it out here,” said FLC head golf coach, Jim Foltz. “As for our 11th-place finish, the girls aren't happy with that. We had a chance to be in the top 10, and that was our goal.”
While the Skyhawks were itching for a better finish, collectively, the team did receive some standout performances, highlighted by a tie for fifth place from junior Brooke Sturtevant.
The Albuquerque native shined in her return to a golf course she knows well from her prep days, finishing at +3 (147) with consistent rounds of 73-74. She carded five birdies over the 36 holes and finished just five shots back of tournament champion Beatrice Perucchini from Midwestern State.
“I saw a lot of guts and the Brooke I knew when we brought her in as a freshman – the beautiful swing, the competitiveness and the work ethic with her doing what she needs to do to improve,” Foltz said of Sturtevant. “She was very consistent with her driver and putter this week. And not only is she consistent, but she is long off the tee. When you drive it 20 to 30 yards past other people, it makes a big difference.”
Fellow junior Emma Tornroos claimed another top-20 finish for the Skyhawks as she tied for 19th overall at +9 (153). Her six birdies, four of which came during Tuesday's final round, were tied for the third most among the field's 78 players.
“Emma is rock-solid with all her clubs right now. And if she has a tough hole, she doesn't let it spiral into a blow up hole,” Foltz said. “She knows how to get out of trouble and think her way to the green. She is staying very composed and consistent.”
FLC sophomore Kendal Gutierrez finished in a tie for 66th at +24 (168), while junior Peyton Glenn and sophomore Molly Schwartz each posted tournament scores of +35 (179) to round out the Skyhawks' scorecard.
Playing unattached, junior Emilia Manntz tallied consistent rounds of 83-84 to finish in 65th place at +23 (167). The junior duo of Melissa Gabaldon (+40 (184)) and Madalen Meier (+45 (189)) finished in 76th place and 77th place, respectively, to complete the Skyhawks in action.
Fort Lewis will now turn its attention toward winter workouts and prep for the spring championship portion of its schedule that will get underway in February. The Skyhawks are still putting the final touches on its spring schedule, with all roads leading toward the RMAC Championships set for April 16-18 at Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler, Arizona.
“The other ladies are still building their confidence up as we head into the spring championship part of our schedule,” Foltz said. “This winter, we're going to be working out, we're going to be running and we’ll get a lot of time in on the golf simulator. We’re still learning a lot about ourselves right now and we're already looking forward to the spring.”
