Women's Golf Aims for Third Straight Win
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
October 2, 1998
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS: Finished 1st of 14 teams at the Lady Northern
TRYING FOR THREE: Michigan State, which has won back-to-back tournaments for the first time since 1985, looks to make it three in a row this weekend at the Wolverine Invitational in Ann Arbor, Mich. It has been two decades since Michigan State last won three tournaments in a row, when a Big Ten title ended a run of three in a row in the spring of 1978. The Spartans are among 14 teams competing in the two-day, 54-hole tournament Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3-4, at the University of Michigan Golf Course. Michigan State is looking to move up from its fourth-place finish in the Wolverine a year ago, when it shot a 318-320-331=969.
CLOSE TO HOME: The Wolverine Invitational marks Michigan State's last appearance in its home state in 1998-99. The Spartans move south from here on out, including trips to Muncie, Ind., and Bonita Bay, Fla., to close out the fall season.
AT THE LADY NORTHERN: After finishing 10th in the Lady Northern last year, head coach Stacy Slobodnik hoped to be competitive in this seasons tournament, which features all 11 Big Ten teams in a preview of next springs Big Ten Championship. The final result, however, matched Slobodniks wildest dreams. Michigan State continued the dramatic turnaround which has characterized this fall with its first-ever team championship in the Lady Northern. The Spartans came from behind all weekend, and more than made up a five-shot deficit heading into the final round. MSU posted a tournament-best 306 on the Pete Dye-designed Kampen Golf Course Sunday to claim the title by four strokes.
ON AN INDIVIDUAL NOTE: Michigan State has had a balanced attack so far this fall, with five Spartans averaging in the 70s. Among the leaders:
* Sophomore Kasey Gant has led MSU in both tournaments thus far and leads the team with a 76.3 average. After winning the Mary Fossum Invitational in East Lansing, Gant turned in a fourth-place showing at the Lady Northern.
* Freshman Emily Bastel has produced top-10 finishes in both tournaments this fall, including a tie for ninth at the Lady Northern. She has been the top freshman in both tournaments thus far.
* Senior Kellie Dennis had the low round of the tournament at the Lady Northern, her third-round 70.
* Senior Ellen Bishop is averaging 78.5, more than three strokes better than her average last year.