Indiana women’s golf wrapped up play at the Badger Invitational on Tuesday. Freshman Aine Donegan earned her first career top-10 finish, tying for 10th as Indiana also finished 10th in the 12-team field.
Indiana scored a 921, good for 57-over par. They started the event with a 20-over 308 on Sunday, followed by a score of 16-over 304 on Monday and a final-day score of 21-over 309 Tuesday.
“There was some really good stuff with some struggling here and there,” head coach Clint Wallman said. “But the good that was shown was really good.”
One week removed from a tie for 11th, Donegan picked up where she left off and notched a 4-over 220 to place tied for 10th. She started slow in the first round with a 76, tying her for 36th. She scored a 74 on Monday and pushed herself up to tied for 27th with a score of 150.
She posted a score of 70, a career-high thus far, in the final round of the tournament. She finished in the top-10 thanks to her efforts from the final round.
Donegan was one of three freshmen competing for the Hoosiers. Beatriz Junquiera scored a 16-over 232 in her collegiate debut, placing second on the team and tied for 44th overall. Fellow freshman Maggie Fernandez scored a 25-over 241 in her first appearance, placing fifth on the team and 63rd overall.
Wallman said the freshmen have been adjusting well as they’ve played and are getting over the learning curve.
“Aine finished great in a very solid field, and Beatriz and Margaret played strong as well,” Wallman said. “There was a big learning curve for them as the tournament progressed and they managed well.”
Junior Valerie Clancy finished with a 18-over 234, placing third on the team and tied for 48th overall. Junior Hanna Tanaka scored a 19-over 235 to place fourth for Indiana and tied for 54th overall.
Senior Maddie Dittoe competed as an individual for Indiana, scoring a 26-over 242 which placed eighth out of 11 individuals as well as 64th overall.
Wallman said he was pleased with the team’s performance and said the team’s focus remains the same as they prepare for next week.
“While the final result doesn’t reflect it, we were much cleaner in most areas and our decision-making was much improved,” Wallman said. “Everyone had good stretches and battled through tough conditions, we just need to show consistency and it will come as the season progresses.”
Indiana will compete in the Courtney Cole Invitational on Oct. 4 to 5, the first tournament it will host at the Pfau Course this season.
