Despite being a veteran squad last season, the Minnesota women’s golf team struggled on the course. The loss of four seniors and a head coach over the summer left the Gophers in an even bigger bunker.
Gophers first-year coach Melissa Arthur is left trying to find the right combination of starters. Arthur has more time to evaluate her team this weekend when it heads to the Indiana University Tournament.
The Hoosiers host the two-day tournament. Fifty-four holes will be played on Saturday and the final 18 are scheduled on Sunday.
A friendly field is in Minnesota’s favor. Of the 15 teams, none are ranked among the nation’s top 25.
The Gophers have only an eighth-place finish from the University of Hawaii tournament (March 28-30) propelling them into this weekend. Minnesota shot a 307 on the third-day meet to finish at 950.
Junior Katie Bakken led Minnesota in Hawaii, placing 14th at 229 and 1-over-par 73 in the final round.
Bakken has been the team’s front-runner this spring season. The junior was named Big Ten golfer of the week on March 22 after capturing the Peggy Kirk Bell Invitational individual title.
Also in Hawaii, Gophers Megan Stier finished ninth at 236. A 242 put teammate Jenny Brunn in 40th while freshman Karyn Stordahl and sophomore Cindy Cannon tied for 48th at 247.
When Minnesota returns home Sunday it has a week to prepare for the next round. The Gophers head to the University of Hawaii tournament on April 15.

Sarah Mitchell covers golf and welcomes comments at [email protected].