Women’s golf claims second place in Nebraska, Mingo finishes tied for sixth

The South Dakota State women’s golf team turned in its best performance of the fall, finishing second at the Chip-N Club Invitational Monday afternoon.

 “We’re really excited about their performance,” SDSU Head Coach Casey VanDamme said. “I don’t think we had our best stuff and we still finished second and competed. It was a really solid performance.”

The Jackrabbits shot an 890 (295-299-296) on the 6,105-yard, par-72 Country Club of Lincoln in Lincoln, Neb. course. Notre Dame won the invitational, shooting a four-under par 860. Though the Jacks held up against a high level of competition, VanDamme knows the ceiling for this squad is still higher.

“In golf, there are so many aspects you can change. our short game can always improve. There are some small ball striking things we can improve,” VanDamme said. “Some of our better players were off their game but finished strong and we had a nice team effort.”

Junior Megan Mingo tied for sixth, firing a 218 (73-69-76). Classmate Hallie Getz finished 16th, shooting a 224 (72-79-73). Freshman Natcha Srimaneerungroj tied for 19th (79-73-75=227). Junior Sydney MacDonald moved up 18 spots on the final day, shooting a 233 (74-87-72) to tie for 32nd while classmate Brianna Janu tied for 43rd (76-78-83=237).

Competing as an individual, freshman Elle Carlson placed 63rd (82-83-84=249).

Mingo was tied for the lead headed into the final round, and VanDamme knows that her ability to consistently contend at the top is a huge asset to this women’s team.

“She did an awesome job. There are different levels of golf. She held the lead and that’s a whole different level of competition,” VanDamme said. “She learned a lot, played great and has the potential to be that good every tournament and that’s what makes her such a special player for us.”

The Jackrabbits return to action Oct. 12 and 13 at the Payne Stewart Memorial in Springfield, Mo, hosted by Missouri State.

“It’s a course we’ve played before,” VanDamme said. “What’s neat about the women is their confidence has been building and they expect to compete to win the tournament. I don’t know if we will, but that’s the way they are thinking.”

With less than a week between tournaments, VanDamme is hoping the women can take this second-place finish and use it as fuel for their ever-building confidence.

“I think, coming off this, they will be confident,” VanDamme said. “It’s a short turnaround, so there won’t be any big changes, but they’ll be ready to go.”