North Michigan News

The Northern Michigan University women's golf team finished the first round of the DU Panther Invite in tenth place out of 12 teams, posting a combined score of 332 (+44) after play at Stonehedge Golf Club in Augusta, Michigan.

Aavra Relich led the Wildcats and is tied for 30th individually with an opening round score of 80 (+8). Relich began her round on the 14th hole, starting with four pars and then making a birdie on the par-five 18th to go one under through four holes. She followed this stretch with three consecutive bogeys before recording another birdie on the par-three fourth hole, bringing her back to one over par. However, two double-bogeys and three additional bogeys in her final four holes resulted in an eight-over finish for the day.

Maddy Martens finished ten over par (T40), carding three birdies—all on the front nine—and was just one over par through eight holes during that stretch. Payton Donnelly ended her round at eleven over (T43). Although Donnelly did not make any birdies, she scored an eagle on the 463-yard par-five ninth hole. This marks only the sixth eagle in NMU women's golf history and is also notable as it occurred on the second-longest hole where an NMU player has recorded an eagle.

Abbie Pietila completed her round at fifteen over (87), including a birdie on the par-four sixth hole. Gabriella Moreau (+22) and Abby Luke (+23, competing as an individual) also represented Northern Michigan in the field.

The DU Panther Invite will conclude tomorrow with a final round of 18 holes at Stonehedge Golf Club. Updates regarding tee times and results can be found at NMUwildcats.com and through NMU Golf's social media channels.