March 5, 2005
Rio Verde, Ariz. - Illinois shot a final-round score of 318 today to improve one spot in the team standings and finish in 12th place at the East/West Rio Verde Invitational, hosted by Western Michigan at the par-71, 6,045-yard White Wing Golf Course in Arizona. This was the opening tournament of the spring season for the Illini, who shot rounds of 317-315-318 to finish with a 54-hole total of 950 strokes.
Michigan ran away from the competition, winning the 18-team event with a score of 900. Iowa was the runner-up, but finished 19 strokes behind the Wolverines with a 919. Minnesota capped the Big Ten sweep of the top three places, finishing third at 921.
Illini junior Megan Godfrey led the Illini once again, recording another Top-20 finish. She tallied a 77 in today's final round to go along with scores of 74 and 81 in rounds one and two, respectively. Godfrey finish tied for 19th place with a three-round total of 232. A pair of UI freshmen also finished in the top 50 out of 108 players in the tournament. Kristine Cook shot rounds of 79-80-80 to finish tied for 35th at 239, while Casey Burden carded rounds of 83-75-83 to finish tied for 44th at 241.
Michigan's Laura Olin was medalist with a 5-over score of 218.
The Illini are back in action next weekend, traveling to Citrus Springs, Fla. for the Lady Herd/El Diablo Intercollegiate.
East/West Rio Verde Invitational - Final Team Standings
1. Michigan 303-301-296=900
2. Iowa 318-304-297=919
3. Minnesota 307-303-311=921
4. North Texas 313-307-305=925
5. Ohio 309-305-318=932
6. Bradley 312-316-315=943
T7. Xavier 317-308-320=945
T7. Arkansas-Little Rock 315-319-311=945
9. Western Michigan 321-310-317=948
T10. Toledo 317-314-318=949
T10. Southern Illinois 310-316-323=949
12. ILLINOIS 317-315-318=950
13. Eastern Michigan 317-308-328=953
14. Marshall 320-315-329=964
15. SW Missouri State 316-313-336=965
16. Cincinnati 338-310-323=971
17. Bowling Green 334-326-336=996
18. Montana State 335-334-332=1001
Illinois Results T19. Megan Godfrey 74-81-77=232 +19 T35. Kristine Cook 79-80-80=239 +26 T44. Casey Burden 83-75-83=241 +28 T52. Lyndsey Milligan 84-80-78=242 +29 T61. Seul Ki Park 81-81-83=245 +32 T72. Meghan Naik 83-80-84=247 +34
