Though it was a rather wet couple of days, rays of success shone for the Allegheny Gators women’s golf team, who improved after a slow start to the season. The Gators fought through the not-so-ideal conditions to place 5th of 10 at the 49th edition of the Guy and Jeanne Kuhn Invitational, which they hosted at the Meadville Country Club.
They scored 111 over par and with a total two-day score of 679, 16 strokes behind fourth-place Westminster College. Carnegie Mellon University came in first with a score of 618 and +50.
The swampy environment was a perfect signifier for a Gator comeback; the team finished 11th of 14 at the Denison Lynn Schweizer Invitational on Sept. 3, and 11th of 11 at the Mercyhurst Evan Parker Memorial on Sept. 16.
“In the first two events, the team was not at full strength due to a combination of health and family issues,” said Head Coach John Groff. “For example, last week at Mercyhurst the women were in 4th place out of 11 after the first round … . Once everyone gets healthy and back in the lineup, we will be competitive in every tournament we play.”
The Guy and Jeanne Kuhn Invitational capped off a crowded Blue and Gold weekend, where many alumni and families of students returned to campus to enjoy festivities, listen to music and cheer on their alma mater.
Kelsi Zik, ’23, finished highest in a three-way tie for 23rd place with a two-day score of 169, 27 over the 142 par. Zik has played golf ever since she was little, and “stepping to the tee” and overcoming obstacles on the course has given her the ability to stand in the face of adversity and drive her way to success.
“My time at Allegheny has been a rocky road due to the pandemic. Despite this challenge, I have been able to grow my experience here at Allegheny the past year and can say I’ve made many lifelong friends and memories.”
With finishes of just two shots or less behind Zik were Jenny Beth Brundige, ’24, who tied for 26th with a score of 170, and Elisa Gomez, ’25, who placed 28th with a score of 171.
Presidents’ Athletic Conference Player of the Week Camille O’Halloran, ’23, began the tournament on Sunday with a 77, six over the day’s 71 par and only three strokes behind first place. Though her three Sunday birdies were a team-high, she withdrew on Monday due to injury.
Josephine Corey, ’26, placed 32nd with 34 over par, and Sarah Pillittieri, ’23, finished 36th, 39 over par. On Saturday, Oct. 1, the team will take a long drive through the Twin Tiers and up to the Finger Lakes of New York. There, they will participate in the Ithaca Invitational at the Ranic Golf Club.
The Gators then travel to PAC Championships on Wednesday, Oct. 12, and Thursday, Oct. 13, at the Avalon course in Vienna, Ohio.