The Augustana College women’s golf team got the 2017 fall season off to a strong start with a second-place finish at the Highland Classic in Rock Island, setting two school records over two days.

The four-person squad finished with a combined score of 659, which broke the school record of 660 for a four-person team at a two-day tournament, which was set at the same tournament last year.

The top golfer for Augustana was sophomore Melanie Loeffler, who recorded the team's lowest score on day one of the tournament with a first-day round of 70, which put her at -2 for the day. Jenna Lawrence finished her first round with a score of 80, Chelsea Meyer wrapped up her day with a round of 86, and Jenna Stone rounded out the day for the Vikings with a round of 93. 

Loeffler shot a round of 77 on day two, while Lawrence turned in a round of 81, and Meyer knocked three strokes off her score on day one, with a round of 83.

The team also broke the record for lowest score in a single day at a tournament, with a score of 322. The previous record of 323 was set in 2008.

Loeffler was the highest finisher for the Vikings and tied for second place with Mattie Mahlum of Viterbo. Danielle Ducklow, also from Viterbo, won the event with a two-day score of 151. Ducklow started a little rough, turning in a score of 82 on day one, but she fought back on the second day, shooting a round of 69. Lawrence finished the tournament in sixth place with a two-day total of 163. 

A number of other Augustana golfers participated at the tournament. Grace Ludwig finished in 13th place with a two-day score of 163, Korina Freidag shot a 174 and freshman Miranda Sharp finished in 20th place.

The Viterbo junior varsity golf team claimed third place at the tournament, and Illinois College came in fourth.

The Vikings will take part in a number of tournaments throughout September and early October. Following the regular season, the CCIW Championships will get underway on Oct. 5 in West Chicago. 

For more information about the AC golf season or to view the team’s schedule and results, visit www.athletics.augustana.edu.