No. 12 SMCC Women's Golf Places Second at Estrella Mountain Invite

PHOENIX ---

The No. 12 South Mountain Community College women's golf team placed second at +124 (700) at the Estrella Mountain Invite over Mar. 22-23 at Sundance Golf Course in Buckeye, Ariz. Freshman Madilyn Hongell-Jimenez led the Cougars with a second-place finish at +25 (169), and freshmen Lexi Tuinstra and Molly McDonald tied for fifth at +32 (176). 

Hongell-Jimenez opened with a 10-over 82 that featured birdies on the par-four No. 11 and the par-five No. 18. She also had six pars over the first 18 holes, and added seven more in her second round to finish at 15-over 87. She finished eight strokes off Mesa CC's Elina Beyer, who took Individual Medalist honors at +17 (161). 

Tuinstra posted a 12-over 84 on the first day behind a birdie on the par-five No. 10 and six pars. On the second day, she posted six more pars to post a 20-over 92 and tie for fifth. 

McDonald birdied the par-five No. 9 and carded two pars in her first round to finish at 20-over 92. In her second round, McDonald had birdies on the par-four No. 1 and the par-four No. 14. She also posted six pars in her second round to finish at 12-over 84. 

Freshman Elaina Hales placed seventh at +36 (180) with scores of 91 and 89. She had four pars on the first day, and added a birdie on the par-five No. 10 and four more pars on her second day. 

Freshman Jaycee Garcia was 10th at +45 (189) with scores of 98 and 91. She had seven pars in her first round and finished with five pars in her second round. 

SMCC finished 11 strokes behind first-place Mesa CC.