SMCC Women's Golf, Lexi Tuinstra Win ACCAC Spring Opener

The South Mountain Community College women's golf team won the ACCAC Spring Opener at +124 (692) on Jan. 27-28 at Tres Rios Golf Course in Goodyear, Ariz. The Cougars edged ACCAC rival Mesa CC by five strokes to claim the team title. Individually, SMCC freshman Lexi Tuinstra captured Individual Medalist honors at +16 (158) with two rounds of eight-over, 79.

 

Tuinstra posted the identical 79s behind some steady play on the links. She closed with four straight pars and totaled 10 overall in her first round, and posted six more on the front nine of her second round. On the back nine, she posted a birdie on the par-three No. 13 and rebounded from a double-bogey on No. 17 to post a par and win the tournament championship on No. 18.

 

Freshman Elaina Hales moved up one spot on the final leaderboard to place fifth at +33 (175) with scores of 88 and 87. She carded a birdie on the par-four No. 7 in her first round and added four pars. In her second round, she posted seven more pars to earn a top-five finish.

 

Freshmen Molly McDonald and Madilyn Hongell-Jimenez finished right on Hales' heels at sixth and seventh place, respectively. McDonald had five pars in her first round to card a +15 (86), and added two more pars in her second round to post a +19 (90) and finish at +34 (176).

 

Hongell-Jimenez produced a birdie on the par-four No. 2 and three pars in her first round to post +22 (93). In her second round, Hongell-Jimenez carded six more pars to finish at +19 (90) for the round and +41 (183).

 

Freshman Mya Foord tied for ninth at +51 (193) with scores of 99 and 94. She had six pars on her second day of action.

 

The Cougars held a one-stroke lead over the Thunderbirds after the first round and added four strokes to their final advantage after the second day of action.