Women’s Golf: Laraisse finishes in top 10 at Saint Martin’s Women’s Invitational

April 18, 2006

Lacey --- The Saint Martin’s women’s golf team finished in eighth place at the 1st annual Saint Martin's University women’s golf tournament being held at the Olympia Country and Golf Club. Competition wrapped up today with a final 18 holes on the long 5,801-yard, par-75 course, beginning at 8 a.m.

The Saints, shooting 747 for the 2-day tournament, were led by Maria Laraisse (Jr., Agadir, Morocco) who finished tied for eighth place at 167, while Stacie Henden (So., Allyn, WA) finished 22nd at 177. Bridgette Kennedy (So., Olympia, WA) finished at 188 and Lisa Bornasal (Fr., Pomeroy, WA) finished at 215.

The tournament provided a highly-competitive 9-team field as Western Washington is the top-ranked team in the West at No. 4, CSU Chico is currently No. 14 and Grand Canyon is currently No. 15 in the latest Golfstat poll.

Western Washington took the team title with a 36-hole score of 651 (322), followed by Cal State Chico at 659 (328) and Concordia University (OR) at 695 (343).

Chico’s Katie Leong shot a final round 75 en route to earning medalist honors with a final score of 156. First round leader Katja Trygg from Western Washington finished in second with a final score of 159 and teammate Candice Wagner carded a 161 to finish in third place.

The course proved to be extremely challenging as only three golfers broke 80 in the tournament; Leong (75) and WWU’s Katie Bender (79) in the second round and Trygg (79) in the opening round.

“The golf course was in good condition, but the rain from the last couple weeks didn’t give the ball any roll. The course has a variety of different holes, so you have to make a lot of adjustments,” said Maria Laraisse, the Saints top golfer. “Small mistakes are not forgiven.”

“Because the greens are small, fast and have a lot of slope it requires you to be more exact in your approach shots,” said Scott Smith, head golf professional at Olympia Country and Golf Club. “The front nine is a shorter, narrower course; a shot making course, while the back nine is a longer, flatter course; a power course.”