Lakers Set to Return to National Tournament

The Iowa Lakes Lakers are headed back to the NJCAA Women's Golf National Championship by qualifying four individuals at the Region XI Championship over the weekend. By having four individual scores for the national tournament, Iowa Lakes will be counted as a team at the tournament. The Lakers posted team scores of 349 and 352, giving them a two day total of 701 and securing a runner-up finish at the regional tournament. Iowa Western Community College would take home the regional title with a two day total of 640. 

"It wasn't all that pretty at times and we played in some very tough conditions, but we have an extremely resilient and mentally tough team that was determined to get through to nationals" said Iowa Lakes golf coach Jarvis Weber. "We knew what we needed to do, and they stayed true to the course and found a way to achieve their goals they set out in the beginning of the year, and I couldn't be happier for them".

Leading the way for the Lakers was freshman Isabella Santistevan who carded rounds of 87 and 83 which was enough to finish top-five in the tournament with a two day score of 170. Behind Isabella were two teammates who posted two day totals of 176: freshman Abby Gaudian and sophomore Kelly Winter. Gretchen Hofstad was the final Iowa Lakes qualifier securing the 9th qualifying spot with a score of 179. Somer Hudson was the fifth Iowa Lakes golfer, however was on the outside of the cutline with rounds of 99 and 101. 

"These ladies have been through one very long year. Kelly missed last year's spring season and regional tournament and all of the freshman missed their spring seasons in high school, so to see them come through this year with a trip to the national tournament was wonderful to see and I could not be prouder of the way they have handled themselves through all of this. They have earned this trip to nationals to continue their seasons and cap off a great year." added Coach Weber.

This marks the second time that Coach Weber will be sending a full team to the national tournament, and his tenth individual being sent in three tries at the regional tournament. 

The Lakers will have some time to rest and get ready for the championship that will be played May 10-13th at the Plantation Bay Golf and Country Club in Daytona Beach, Florida. 

Team Scores

*Iowa Western - 324-316 = 640

*Iowa Lakes - 349-353 = 701

*DMACC - 342-362 = 704

NIACC - 392-376 = 768

Iowa Lakes Individual Scores

*Isabella Santistevan - 87-83 = 170 (t-5)

*Kelly Winter - 91-85 = 176 (t-10)

*Abby Gaudian - 83-93 = 176 (t-10)

*Gretchen Hofstad - 88-91 = 179 (14)

Somer Hudson - 99-101 = 200 (20)

*Denotes national qualfier

Photo ID (left to right): Isabella Santistevan, Gretchen Hofstad, Coach Weber, Abby Gaudian, Kelly Winter, Somer Hudson