The Gophers women’s golf team hit the course for the first time since late October and finished 13th out of 18 teams at the University of Central Florida Challenge, which concluded Tuesday.
Minnesota had a three-day team total of 910, which was 25 strokes off of first.
The team was led by junior Emie Peronnin, who tied for sixth in the tournament, a career-high finish. The Gophers second-leading golfer was sophomore Sabrine Garrison, who tied for 19th.
“This is our first tournament in the spring, so obviously we’ve got some things to work on,” head coach Michele Redman said. “The conditions were pretty difficult, so when you’re a little rusty and it’s a little windy, it takes a little time to get into it. We’ll get there.”
Minnesota was 10th after the first round at the Eagle Creek Golf Course on Sunday, with a team score of 307.
Peronnin shot an even 72 in the first round, which tied her for the third-best score.
“I like playing with the wind, so I was expecting to have a lot of fun this week, and I did,” Peronnin said. “Everything took place the way it should take place, so it was pretty fun.”
Garrison and freshman Muyu Wu were second of the team the first day, each scoring a 77.
Minnesota improved by eight strokes the second round with a 299, but the team fell to 13th place.
The Gophers top golfer on Monday was Garrison, who shot a 72, while Peronnin finished a stroke higher than the day before with a 73.
“I played really solid this week,” Garrison said. “I felt like every part of my game kind of came together. I handled the wind pretty well. I think the consistency shows in that finish.”
The team’s total was 304 on Tuesday, which kept it in 13th place, with a three-day total of 910.
Peronnin earned a 75 in her final round and finished tied for sixth with a three-day total of 220. She finished seven strokes behind Frida Gustafsson Spang of East Carolina, who took first in the tournament.
Garrison’s third round score was a 74, which helped her finish with a 223 and tied for 19th place. Wu and sophomore Heather Ciskowski ended 11 strokes behind Garrison in a tie for 66th place.
Sophomore Celia Kuenster rounded out the Gophers competitors by shooting a 240 and tying for 88th place.
“I think it’s a matter of getting some of the rust off and playing a little more,” Redman said. “We’ll just continue to get better as the spring season moves along.”
