K-State Heads to Broken Arrow for Fall Finale

MANHATTAN, Kan. – After a week off, the Kansas State women's golf team is gearing up for its final event of the fall schedule as the Wildcats head south once again to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, for the Dale McNamara Invitational on Monday and Tuesday.

K-State was busy in the month of September, competing at three tournaments in three weeks. The Wildcats finished 13th at the Sam Golden Invitational, third at the Sunflower Invitational and 14th at the Schooner Fall Classic, while accumulating a 294.89 team stroke average.

It hasn't been the dream start that head coach Kristi Knight was hoping for, but there is reason to believe K-State can finish off the fall on a positive note.

"To this point, our overall execution during tournament rounds has been very mediocre," Knight said. "However, we have seen glimpses of our best golf. We are capable. It's time to get it done throughout the tournament."

The Wildcats have had some time since they finished at the Schooner Fall Classic to shore up some issues. Knight used the off week to focus on the details, and she was pleased with the results.

"We have had a good week of practice, focusing on putting skills and chipping."

When K-State tees off in Broken Arrow on Monday morning, it will do so with the fourth different scoring lineup combination this season. Competing this week at the Golf Club of Oklahoma will be Remington Isaac, Gabriela McNelly, Haley Vargas, Briony Bayles and Heather Fortushniak.

One of the biggest positives for Kansas State this season has been Isaac, a freshman who is the team leader in stroke average at 72.33. She has been the high finisher for the Wildcats in the last two events, tying for third at the Sunflower Invitational and 24th at the Schooner Fall Classic.

McNelly, a sophomore, and Vargas, a junior, are both coming off 65th-place finishes, each shooting a 10-over par 226, at the Schooner Fall Classic. This is McNelly's second-straight appearance in the lineup, while Vargas has appeared in each tournament for the Cats this season.

The pair seniors on the roster, Bayles and Fortushniak, will look to provide some leadership at the fall finale. Fortushniak most recently tied for 51st at the Schooner Fall Classic, carding a 6-over par 222. Bayles last competed at the Sunflower Invitational where she shot a 14-over par 230 and tied for 32nd.

K-State will have two players, Lilly Whitley and Manon Donche-Gay, compete as individuals.

The Dale McNamara Invitational, hosted by Tulsa, will be contested at the par-72, 6,200-yard Golf Club of Oklahoma. The Cats will be joined by BYU, Fresno State, Lamar, Nebraska, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Sam Houston State, SMU, Texas State, Tulsa, UNLV and UTSA.

"It's a fun course, and five-hour van rides are always entertaining," Knight said.

Kansas State will tee off the first two rounds on Monday morning with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m., while the final round is set to begin at the same time on Tuesday. Fans can follow live scoring at Golfstat.com.

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Players Mentioned

Briony Bayles

Manon Donche-Gay

Heather Fortushniak

Remington Isaac

Gabriela McNelly

Haley Vargas

Lilly Whitley

Kansas State University Athletics