The Lady Bisons golf team has officially begun the season schedule as of last weekend, playing in two tournaments, the Central Region Fall Preview and the Northeastern State Classic in Tahlequah, Okla.
On Monday, the ladies shot their best round of the season at the NSC, posting a first round 18-hole score of 344 en route to a 12th place finish in the 17-team tournament.
The women have been paced by senior Brittany Marquez, the second best golfer in program history according to stroke average.
Marquez shot a 9-over 153 to finish seventh at the Central Region Fall Preview and followed it up with a 10-over 154 at the Northeastern State Classic to finish in a tie for ninth.
Her back-to-back top 10 finishes now leave her at 18 total for her career, which ties the program record.
Marquez said that the Northeastern State course has always been one she has played well on.
“I think I did pretty well,” Marquez said. “I was hoping to do a little bit better because I won this tournament two years ago on the same course. I played really well then, but I was happy with my score. It’s not too long of a course, so I’m able to hit my short irons and hit the clubs I’m comfortable with.”
Although the Lady Bisons feature a young squad this year, they have also received strong play from sophomore Charles Ann Freeman and freshmen Katelyn Walker and Sarah Creeley, who all shot season bests at the NSC tournament.
With all of the newcomers, Marquez said that the team’s goals are just to get better every week.
“We’re just trying to keep improving,” Marquez said. “We want to enjoy it and have as much fun as possible, because it is a great experience to get to play college golf.”
The Lady Bisons next match will be on Oct. 6-7, at the Central Oklahoma Classic, which will take place starting at 8 a.m. The two-day tournament will be at Lincoln Park East golf course in Edmond, Oklahoma.
This will be the second of three straight women’s golf events in Okla. for the Lady Bisons.
The third one being Oct. 13-14, in the Great American Conference Preview at the Lake Hefner Golf Club.
The next time the Lady Bisons compete in the area will be in Cabot, Ark., Oct. 20-21, at the Commercial Bank Fall classic hosted by Arkansas Monticello University.
The tournament will be played on the Greystone Golf Course.
