Final Results

The Missouri State women's golf team opened its 2016-17 campaign with a fourth-place finish at its own MSU/Payne Stewart Memorial on Tuesday (Sept. 13) in Springfield. The Bears shot 308-303-306--917 in three trips around the par 71, 5966-yard layout at Twin Oaks Country Club.

Sophomore Rachel Johnson led the way for MSU, tying for ninth by carding 81-73-72--226 in her first event as a Bear after transferring from Chicago State. Sophomore Ashley Childers tied for 16th with three consecutive 76's for a 228 total, one better than teammate Verena Gimmy, who had 76-76-77--229 while tying for 20th. Senior Lindsey Eisenreich tied for 42nd with 76-78-81--235 and freshman Ryan Pate shot 80-79-83--242 and tied for 62nd in her first collegiate tournament. South Dakota's Brenna Lervick captured medalist honors, shooting 69-76-71--216.

A quartet of Bears competed as individuals with senior Kiersten Prater topping the list by posting 89-81-76--246. Freshman Sophia Sadaro shot 84-86-84--254, while classmate Hanna Johnson has 90-84-86--260. Senior Caroline Boone shot 77-WD-78.

South Dakota State roared from behind with a final-round 287 to overcome a 10-shot deficit and beat UTEP for the team title. The Jackrabbits finished the tournament with a three-round total of 896 compared to UTEP's 899. Oral Roberts finished third at 904, with the Bears fourth, followed by Oklahoma City (921), Arkansas State (923), South Dakota (925), Western Illinois and ULM (926), and Little Rock (932) rounding out the top 10 in the 15-team field.

The Bears are idle next week before traveling to Vail, Colo., for the Golfweek Conference Challenge, Sept. 26-28.