TUNICA – The Northwest Mississippi Community College women's golf team took on a stacked field in the Lady Ranger Invitational at Tunica National Golf Club, which included eight teams from last year's NJCAA Division II National Tournament, including the defending national champions.
The Rangers finished the tournament in fourth place as a team, with only Murray State College (OK), Shelton State Community College, and Southern Union State Community College finishing ahead of Northwest. The Rangers were the top team in the field from Mississippi, posting a +127 over 54 holes, 14 strokes ahead of Northeast Mississippi Community College and 78 ahead of Pearl River Community College's first team.
While the team finished in fourth overall, freshman Rylee Summerlin said they still felt there was something left on the table.
"Last tournament, we played in an NCAA Division II event, so we knew that we were the underdogs and were fighting for everything," she said. "Then we got here and were normal and not fighting to win, so I think we got a little too comfortable and let it slip out of our fingers."
Northwest made a charge on the final day, going 38-over as a team for their best round of the tournament and the fifth-best round of the day, and they showed consistency over both days, with rounds of 43-over and 48-over on the previous 36 holes on day one.
"I saw a lot of fight in them today, and as the round went on we kept getting better and better," Head Coach Adam Payne said. "To be able to compete with some of the best teams in the country with five freshmen, I thought we played really well."
Northwest was paced by Elsa Lomas Castillo, whose 81 on the final day was her highest of the tournament, but it was still enough for her to finish sixth as an individual, finishing at 22-over after 54 holes. Castillo had a rough stretch coming in, going five over on the final three holes, but also had three birdies on the day to counter them.
The freshman from Mexico said that the last two tournaments of the year have built confidence in her approach to each shot.
"When you step into your routine for a shot, you need to be brave and enjoy the moment. Be present and really lock in on each stroke," she said. "Every stroke is different, and you have a chance on each stroke. I learned from the past tournament to not worry about the score and just stay in the present."
Summerlin had the best day of any Ranger on Tuesday, finishing with an 80, matching her score from her opening round and carding a 26-over for the tournament. After carding three double bogeys on the front nine, Summerlin closed with a two-over back nine and played the par fives to two-under on the day, helping her to move into the top ten in a tie for ninth.
"I think you can really get caught up in your last shot," she said. "You have to have confidence, because golf is a lot more mental than physical, and your mental game can really make or break you."
Avery Baker easily had her best round of the tournament, finishing the day with an 82, improving on a pair of 88's from Monday's rounds. While she didn't have any birdies, Baker did have ten pars and moved into a tie for 24th by the close of play.
Behind her on Tuesday, but finishing in 21st overall, was Elizabeth Kilpatrick, who also had her best round of the tournament with an 83 on the final day, building from an 88 after her first round and an 85 after her second. Kilpatrick rallied for a two-over back nine after her front nine saw her play to nine-over par with a double and a triple bogey on her sheet.
Graysa Enders closed out the scoring team, finishing with an 86 in her final round, improving from a 10-over on the front nine before rallying to a 4-over on the back nine, carding a 44-over for the tournament to finish in 26th place.
The Rangers also saw Evalynn Ward playing as an individual, and the sophomore transfer finished in 57th place, posting her best score of the tournament with a 109 on the final day.
"The big positive I saw is they have a little fight and a little grit to them," Payne said, summing up the tournament. "I thought their attitudes were great today, and we have a group that wants to learn and won't give up. Regardless of the skill level, if you have someone who really wants to learn and give it their all, as a coach, that's all you can ask for. I can do a better job of prepping them, but I'm really excited about the next event."
Northwest has a week off before returning to action on September 28th and 29th at the South District Preview, hosted by Snead State Community College at Cider Ridge Golf Course in Oxford, Alabama. That will be the final tournament before the first rankings of the year come out for NJCAA golf.
Keep up with news and schedules for the Northwest women's golf team at nwccrangers.com or by following along on Ranger social media accounts.
