Golf Places Fifth at Gators Invitational
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 15/16 University of Miami golf team wrapped up its third tournament of the spring with a top-five finish at the Gators Invitational.
Over the three days at the par-70, 6,002-yard Mark Bostick Golf Club, the Hurricanes shot 26-over, 866 to finish fifth at the event.
Individually, freshman Nataliya Guseva (tied for sixth) earned her first collegiate top-10 finish, while senior Renate Grimstad placed eighth.
“Fifth is okay, but we were really hoping for a top-three finish,” Miami head coach Patti Rizzo said. “We’re still trying to figure out our best lineup, so we are going to watch the team play these next couple of weeks and decide our best lineup for the next tournament. We are doing okay, but I feel like we could be doing much better.
“Nat had a great tournament and is playing awesome as a freshman,” Rizzo added. “Renni brought it back this week, so we’re back on track there. Meanwhile, Kristyna always manages to hang in there and finish strong. The others are struggling with consistency, so we will have to figure that out over the next couple weeks.
In just her third collegiate tournament, Guseva continues to move up the leaderboard recently finishing just outside the top 10 at the UCF Challenge and Moon Golf Invitational.
Overcoming a slow start with a trio of bogeys to open the final round, the Moscow native carded three birdies over the final 15 holes to finish tied for sixth at two-over, 212.
Overall, Guseva tallied a team-high 11 birdies over the 54-hole event.
Joining the freshman with a top-10 finish, Grimstad enjoyed a consistent final 18 holes. Scoring par or better on 17 of them to finish one-under, 69 on Tuesday.
Overall, the senior placed eighth with a three-over-par performance.
Securing her third top-25 finish of the spring, Kristyna Frydlova capped the three-day event with a nine-over, 219 to finish tied for 23rd.
Rounding out the Hurricanes lineup, were Daniella Barrett (t44th, +13) and Franziska Sliper (t67th, +21).
Following a three week break, Miami will return to action March 15-16 at the Briar’s Creek Collegiate in Johns Island, S.C.
