Valdes leads Waldorf to seventh in CSB Invitational
By: Matt Oliver
SARTELL, Minnesota – Facing solid competition, the Waldorf University women’s golf team opened the fall season with a seventh-place finish in the CSB Invitational.
The Warriors closed out the two-day tournament on Sunday with a 36-hole score of 687 strokes after putting together rounds of 350 and 337.
“It was a really strong field,” Waldorf coach Mark Clouse said. “We got to see some excellent competition and schools that we don’t typically compete against, so it was a great way to start the fall season.”
Fernanda Valdes led the Warriors, tying for 14th with a 163-stroke total. The junior from Morelia, Mexico carded rounds of 85 and 78 on the par-72 layout at Blackberry Ridge Golf Club.
“I know she was disappointed in her opening round, but she was right there in the hunt for individual honors,” Clouse said. “It’s good to see that she’s rounding into form quickly.”
Waldorf senior Maggie Peters tied for 22nd, shooting a 168 on back-to-back rounds of 84. Junior Halle Hauer claimed 31st with a 172 on rounds of 88 and 84.
“We had pretty good consistency through our first three scores,” Clouse said. “The girls are looking quite good. If we can cut just a few more shots off, we’ll continue to be super competitive throughout the fall season.”
Junior Kailee Ward tied for 54th, providing a 184 for the Warriors behind rounds of 93 and 91. Sophomore Haleigh Biernacki tied for 63rd with a 196 following rounds of 96 and 100.
Waldorf sophomores Haley Lawrence and Mckenzie Fahrni competed as individuals. Lawrence tied for 71st, turning in a 214 on rounds of 114 and 100. Fahrni finished 73rd with a 226-stroke total after rounds of 118 and 108.
The Warriors competed against NCAA Division III programs in the tournament. Carleton College won the team championship with 621 strokes. The University of St. Thomas (644) secured second, Bethel University (648) locked up third while St. Catherine University (649), Gustavus Adolphus College (658), College of Saint Benedict (658), Waldorf (687), St. Olaf College (718), Concordia College (727), Saint Mary’s University (759) and Augsburg College (768) completed the team standings.
Carleton’s Ziyi Wang won the individual title, finishing with a 3-over par score of 147 with rounds of 74 and 73.
Waldorf returns to action Thursday in the NIACC Fall Invitational, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Mason City. The Warriors also open the two-day Viterbo University Invitational on Saturday with a 12 p.m. start at Onalaska, Wisconsin.
After bringing home team titles during their past two tournaments at the Mason City Country Club, Waldorf is setting its sights on another strong performance in the NIACC Fall Invitational.
“They’re looking forward to playing again on Thursday in that event, because they’ve had really good success the past few years,” Clouse said. “I think that’s a really good tournament to have on our schedule early in the season.”