Over the weekend, UW-Eau Claire’s women’s golf team placed ninth overall out of 12 teams in Hastings, Minn. for a two day event. Getting a score of 337 on Saturday and a 325 on Sunday, the Blugolds ended with a total score of 662.

Assistant coach of men and women’s golf teams, Jeffery Walk, said the team got to compete in the MIAC tournament.

“It’s always nice to travel across to Minnesota and play in the MIAC as well and to go up against some talent in that conference,” Walk said. “We played in Hastings, Minnesota, in some hot weather and then some cold weather. But the girls did an awesome job.”

Bri Novak, a third-year golfer, scored 88 on Saturday and 79 on Sunday, ending with a total of 167. Novak said she was proud of herself for getting an eagle, boosting her confidence.

“It was huge for me because I have been struggling with my confidence,” Novak said. “After I had that eagle and things started going decently well for me. I always knew I was capable of shooting better numbers but I didn’t really know it until I did it.”

Walk said the team overall did a good job, however it didn’t start out that way.

“They started out a little slow on Saturday, and then Sunday morning, they really kicked it into high gear,” Walk said. “And we had a few people have some personal bests and they really stepped up a notch and got their game going on Sunday.”

Lily Kaminski, a second-year golfer, had the best scores of the team, having 84 on Saturday and 80 on Sunday creating a total score of 164. Kaminski said she thought her approach shots were good.

“I feel like an easier course, so we had the mindset that it was kind of chill so we knew we could go low,” Kaminski said.

In regards to what the team could do better, both Novak and Kaminski said the team could improve on putting.

“We don’t really spend a lot of time putting,” Kaminski said. “Short game is where you can take the most strokes off. Hitting the ball as long as you hit it straight, you’ll slowly get it there and then as long as you’re putting and chipping is good.”

Novak said that she is sad the season is almost over. However she is excited to go to conference with the rest of the team as well as to spend to time off the course.

Walk said he is proud of the girls and is excited for the future of the golf program.

“We’re really looking forward to expanding the program and bringing in new talent and continuing with what we have here right now and in the future,” Walk said. “We have a lot of good leaders on our team and each individual is leading by example. We just don’t go out and play golf. We have physical training every week.”

Boggess can be reached at [email protected].