2018 Yearbook

40 IGA Women’s Four-Ball Otter Creek GC, Ankeny July 8-9 The claws were out at the 2018 IGA Women’s Four-Ball, UNI Panther claws that is. Of the top three teams, five of those players were University of Northern Iowa golf- ers and only one stroke differed between each of them. After opening with an 18-hole round of 64 (7-under- par) it seemed it would be plain sailing for Anne Gradoville of West Des Moines (UNI, Sophomore) and Paige Seiser of Waukee (Illinois State, Junior). The duo survived the first day without a blemish on the score- card and made a total of eight birdies on the Otter Creek Golf Course, par 71 layout. Yet, their two shot lead proved to be necessary in the final round with half the field improving on their first day score and half fir- ing in the 60’s. The Bermel twins of Cedar Falls, Hailey and Hannah, played steady golf the first round posting a three-under- par, 68 landing them four back of Gradoville and Seiser. There was no doubt the twins had an eye on the trophy when they opened their final round with an eagle and two birdies. After four holes the Bermels dropped four strokes on the field and moved from fourth place to second. Gradoville and Seiser played perfect partner golf in the final round, making pars and birdies when the other was showing signs of trouble. A steady start of one- under-par on the front nine moved them to eight-under total but just one stroke ahead of the Bermel’s. After eleven holes to the two teams were neck-and-neck at eight-under but two consecutive birdies on holes 12 and 13 were the difference maker for Gradoville and Seiser. The two finished out their round with pars which was enough to hold the lead by one stroke. Following close behind were the Miller sisters, Rachele and Allison, of Princeton. The Millers were in second place after the first round with a 66 (5-under-par) but were unable to gain ground in the final round with their two-under-par, 69 finish. They slipped two posi- tions finishing tied for fourth at 135. Emily Snelling of Clear Lake (UNI, Sophomore) and Sarah McMichael of Nashua (UNI, Senior) improved on their first round total by four strokes and finished in Gradoville/Seiser go wire-to-wire Karli Kerrigan third with their 69-65—134 t tal. In the Senior Division Margene Grady of Cedar Falls and Rose Kubesheski of Dubuque returned to defend their 2017 title and made a statement early with their three-under-par, 68. The pair had four birides (two each), thirteen pars and a single bogey in their opening round resulting in a four-stroke lead over Beth Duenow of St. Ansgar and Nancy Olberding of Cedar Rapids. In addition, three teams trailed in third place with a first round score of 75. Grady and Kubesheski sensed the heat, literally and figuratively, on the second day with temperatures climb- ing above 100 degrees and a troublesome start to the round. The side had to count a double bogey and a bogey in the first three holes which opened the door for Duenow and Olberding to make a move, and they did. Duenow and Olberding were one-under-par for their first seven holes moving them to even par overall and alongside Grady and Kubesheski for the lead. Both sides knew it was going to come down to the team that could survive the fierce heat on the back nine. Both started the back nine with a bogey, but Grady and Kubesheski were able to right the ship with two pars and a bogey in the three subsequent holes. Duenow and Olberding had a few more stumbles with bogeys on holes 12 and 14, but fired back with a late round birdie on hole 17. With two strokes between them on the final hole, a bogey by Grady and Kubesheski was just enough to maintain the lead and clinch the win.