The Northern Illinois University women’s golf team sits in 13th place after an opening round 344 at the Don Benbow Invitational hosted by Butler University at Jacksonville Beach Golf Course on Monday.
Junior Allie Parthie is tied for second after posting a team best 76. Kelsie Passolt follows with an 84, while Jenny Niemiec a mid-semester transfer who was playing as an individual, impressed NIU head coach Pam Tyska also posting an opening round 84.
“We finished our first round in Jacksonville and had a few pleasant surprises,” Tyska said. “Allie Parthie is tied for third overall with 76. Jenny Niemiec, despite two triples, shot an 84. She played as an individual today, but will be a quick insertion into the top of our Snowbird lineup. Kelsie shook off two bad holes as well and was five over par for the remaining holes, firing an 84.”
Senior Carissa Burdi and freshman Taylor Ellett carded a 92 in their first action of the spring. Senior Katie Kuhn rounds out the Northern Illinois team scores with a 98.
Casey LaBarbera and Allison Van Heuklom, who were competing as individuals, fired an 88 and 114 respectively.
Sam Houston leads the field with a 310, with IUPUI (315), Detroit (324), Chicago State (328) and Butler (330) round out the top five.
Team Scores: 1. Sam Houston State (310); 2. IUPUI (315); 3. Detroit-Mercy (324); 4. Chicago State (328); T-5. Cleveland State (330), Butler (330); T-7. Eastern Illinois (331), Southern Indiana (331); 9. Youngstown State (336); 10. Farleigh Dickinson (340); 11. UIC (341); 12. Evansville (342); 13. Northern Illinois (344); 14. Green Bay (362).
Individual Scores: 1. Shelby Hardy (SHSU) 73; T-2. Allie Parthie (NIU) 76, Andrea Rosado (CSU) 76, Ariel Sparrow (Cleve. St); T-5. Jessica Borth (SHSU), 77, Jordan Essman (IUPUI) 77, Olivia Richards (DM) 77; T-8. Sarah Heimlich (YSU) 78, Alexandra Perez (UIC) 78, Colette Hansen (DM) 78, Emily Calhoon (EIU) 78.
