Becca Huffer is three strokes off the lead entering the final round of play.

Irish Finish Tenth At The Mary Fossum Invitational

Sept. 13, 2009

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Irish women’s golf team posted a final round 311 (23-over par) to finish tenth at the Mary Fossum Invitational. The Irish turned in a three-round total of 926 (62-over par) in their first tournament of the season. Sophomore Becca Huffer (Denver, Colo./Littleton) tied for 14th place after registering a third round 72 for a three round total of 223 (7-over par).

The host Spartans of Michigan State won the tournament with an 875 (11-over par), three strokes clear of Purdue, which finished in second place with an 878 (14-over par). James Madison’s Nicole Sakamoto took individual medalist honors with a 214 (2-under par).

Huffer’s 72 tied for the second lowest round of her Irish career and was achieved with final day birdies on the fourth, eighth and 16th holes. All told, she finished with a 223 (7-over par), which also tied for her second lowest tournament total with the Irish.

Senior Annie Brophy (Spokane, Wash./Gonzaga Prep) shot a 77 in the final round of play to card a 229 (13-over par) for the tournament. Brophy, who birdied the third hole on the final day of play, finished tied for 26th.

Junior Katie Conway (Wading River, N.Y.) and senior Kristin Wetzel (Middletown, N.Y.) also scored for the Irish in the third round. Conway shot a 79 to finish at 236 (20-over par) and tie for 47th. She turned in Sunday afternoon birdies on the third and tenth holes. Wetzel posted a final day 83 for a three-round total of 243 (27-over par). She carded birdies on the fifth, 13th and 17th holes.

So-Hyun Park (Seoul, South Korea/Bradenton Prep) rounded out the Irish contingent with a final round 88 to turn in a 247 (31-over par) for the tournament.

Notre Dame next travels to Lexington, Ky. for the Bettie Lou Evans Invitational, hosted by Kentucky. The three-day tournament will be played from Friday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Sept. 27 at the UK Golf Club.

Mary Fossum Invitational – East Lansing, Par 72 – 6,348 Yards

Top-Five Team Scores (54-hole totals): 1. Michigan State 875 (+11); 2. Purdue 878 (+14); 3. Indiana University 892 (+28); 4. Northwestern 900 (+36); 5. James Madison 907 (+43).

Top-Five Golfers (54-hole scores): 1. Nicole Sakamoto (James Madison/214); 2. Ashley Bauer (Michigan/215); t3. Lindsey Solberg (Michigan State/216); t3. Shannon Warner (Michigan State/216); t5. Vaishavi Sinha (Purdue/218); t5. Junthima Gulyanamitta (Purdue/218); t5. Laura Gonzalez Escallon (Purdue/218); t5. Kellye Belcher (Indiana/218).

Notre Dame Scores (54-hole totals): t14. Becca Huffer (76-75-72-223); t26. Annie Brophy (76-76-77-229); t47. Katie Conway (79-78-79-236); t67. Kristin Wetzel (80-80-83-243); t79. So-Hyun Park (84-75-88-247).

— ND —