K-State Uses Wind as Advantage to Improve in Second Round
Feb 27, 2021 | Women's Golf
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – After taking Friday afternoon to reset, the K-State Women's Golf team arrived at Saturday's tee-time with a fresh mindset. Despite the rough start in round one, the Wildcats climbed two spots on the leaderboard to finish the day tied for eighth during a windy second round of the Florida State Match-Up at Seminole Legacy Golf Club.
As a team, the Wildcats shot an 8-over par 296, the fourth-best round of the afternoon and a 13-stroke improvement from round one. K-State is at 29-over par 605 through two rounds, and the Wildcats are within just four shots of the top four.
Senior Niamh McSherry led the way on Saturday by carding a bogey-free round of 1-under par 71. She enters Sunday's final round tied for 28th at 7-over par 151.
"I think we were going out today with a bit more determination and belief in ourselves," McSherry said. "Once the wind picks up, we think it is perfect after playing at Colbert all the time. We know that we have an advantage over so many teams, and we really want the wind to pick up so we can prove why it's worth playing at Colbert in tough conditions. I think the team did awesome today to finish strong and post the score we did today."
After going 13-over par on the back nine yesterday, the Wildcats were collectively 5-over par on the day during the final nine holes.
"I felt like for the most part they did a nice job," head coach Kristi Knight said. "They hit a lot of good shots and had fewer mistakes. It was a cleaner round. I think they handled the round well today. We just have to keep building."
"Since I didn't play well yesterday, I knew I wanted to go out and prove that I can be a leader on this team," McSherry said of her 18 on Saturday. "I did start to get a bit nervous on the back because I knew that I didn't have any bogeys, but I just kept the ball in play. Once I hit my shot on the green on the last hole, I knew I could do it. Even though I didn't have a lot of birdies today, I'm just really proud of achieving that milestone in my life."
Napua Glossner followed the trend of her team and marked a score of 2-over par 74 on Saturday, a 10-stroke improvement from round one to sit in a tie for 56th at 14-over par 158. Sophomore Haley Vargas also shot 2-over 74, and she is in a tie for 34th at 8-over par 152.
Reid Isaac carded a 5-over par 77 but only fell nine spots to a tie for 21st entering Sunday's final round at 6-over par 150. Heather Fortushniak will enter the final round tied for 50th at 12-over par 156 after a 6-over par 78 on Saturday.
"I don't think any speeches are necessary," Knight said after the second round. "After the practice round and two competitive rounds, I think they understand that it is important to keep a good energy and a positive mentality."
McSherry and the rest of the Wildcats know the difference a positive attitude makes.
"We are so grateful to be able to play," McSherry said. "My family at home can't even get out to play a round of golf and we are here in Florida in perfect weather playing. We came from Trinity Forest where we finished fourth, and normally we don't start semesters off well, but we did this time. We know how good we can be and it's just going out there and trusting ourselves."
Florida State continued to post impressive scores and held its first-place position after finishing the second round 6-under par 282. The Seminoles hold a 36-hole score of 12-under par 564, a 20-shot advantage over the second place team, Kent State.
Kansas State tees off for the third round of the Florida State Match-Up on Sunday beginning at 7 a.m. (CT). Fans can follow with live scoring at www.golfstat.com.
As a team, the Wildcats shot an 8-over par 296, the fourth-best round of the afternoon and a 13-stroke improvement from round one. K-State is at 29-over par 605 through two rounds, and the Wildcats are within just four shots of the top four.
Senior Niamh McSherry led the way on Saturday by carding a bogey-free round of 1-under par 71. She enters Sunday's final round tied for 28th at 7-over par 151.
"I think we were going out today with a bit more determination and belief in ourselves," McSherry said. "Once the wind picks up, we think it is perfect after playing at Colbert all the time. We know that we have an advantage over so many teams, and we really want the wind to pick up so we can prove why it's worth playing at Colbert in tough conditions. I think the team did awesome today to finish strong and post the score we did today."
After going 13-over par on the back nine yesterday, the Wildcats were collectively 5-over par on the day during the final nine holes.
"I felt like for the most part they did a nice job," head coach Kristi Knight said. "They hit a lot of good shots and had fewer mistakes. It was a cleaner round. I think they handled the round well today. We just have to keep building."
"Since I didn't play well yesterday, I knew I wanted to go out and prove that I can be a leader on this team," McSherry said of her 18 on Saturday. "I did start to get a bit nervous on the back because I knew that I didn't have any bogeys, but I just kept the ball in play. Once I hit my shot on the green on the last hole, I knew I could do it. Even though I didn't have a lot of birdies today, I'm just really proud of achieving that milestone in my life."
Napua Glossner followed the trend of her team and marked a score of 2-over par 74 on Saturday, a 10-stroke improvement from round one to sit in a tie for 56th at 14-over par 158. Sophomore Haley Vargas also shot 2-over 74, and she is in a tie for 34th at 8-over par 152.
Reid Isaac carded a 5-over par 77 but only fell nine spots to a tie for 21st entering Sunday's final round at 6-over par 150. Heather Fortushniak will enter the final round tied for 50th at 12-over par 156 after a 6-over par 78 on Saturday.
"I don't think any speeches are necessary," Knight said after the second round. "After the practice round and two competitive rounds, I think they understand that it is important to keep a good energy and a positive mentality."
McSherry and the rest of the Wildcats know the difference a positive attitude makes.
"We are so grateful to be able to play," McSherry said. "My family at home can't even get out to play a round of golf and we are here in Florida in perfect weather playing. We came from Trinity Forest where we finished fourth, and normally we don't start semesters off well, but we did this time. We know how good we can be and it's just going out there and trusting ourselves."
Florida State continued to post impressive scores and held its first-place position after finishing the second round 6-under par 282. The Seminoles hold a 36-hole score of 12-under par 564, a 20-shot advantage over the second place team, Kent State.
Kansas State tees off for the third round of the Florida State Match-Up on Sunday beginning at 7 a.m. (CT). Fans can follow with live scoring at www.golfstat.com.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
K-State Women's Golf | Carla Bernat ANWA Recognition
Tuesday, November 11
K-State Women's Golf | Behind The Scenes Photoshoot
Tuesday, November 11
K-State Men's Golf | Wildcat Invitational
Tuesday, November 11
K-State WGOLF | Carla Bernat Augusta National Women's Amateur Recognition
Saturday, November 01
