Braxton Gregory Sports Editor
ST. GEORGE, Utah — The Idaho State Bengals women’s golf team continued its 2024 campaign this past weekend, competing in the Pizza Hut Lady Thunderbird Invitational hosted by Southern Utah University. The tournament, held at Sunbrook Golf Club in St. George, Utah, from March 7-9, featured a competitive 14-team field, including Big Sky Conference rivals Montana, Portland State, and Weber State.
“We always love the opportunity to host and compete on our home turf,” said Southern Utah Women’s Golf Head Coach Caylyn Ponich. “It was a tight race from start to finish, which made for an exciting event.”
Battling through three rounds on the challenging course, the Bengals secured a tie for 12th place with a final team score of 947. The tournament marked a significant step forward for Idaho State, as the team showed marked improvement, shaving 23 strokes off its total from the season opener.
The Bengals opened the tournament with a first-round score of 329, which was a notable improvement over their early spring performance. The team built on that momentum in the second and third rounds, demonstrating better course management and short-game execution.
Head coach Todd Loveland acknowledged the team’s progress, particularly in adapting to course conditions and making adjustments throughout the tournament.
“Overall, there was a lot of improvement for the team getting out on the grass for our second tournament,” Loveland said. “Our chipping and putting continue to get better and better. There are a tremendous amount of hazards at Sunbrook, which led to a few holes that got us from a score standpoint, but overall, our course strategy was improved from our first event. I’m really looking forward to our next tournament in Texas!”
The Bengals faced stiff competition throughout the weekend but remained consistent across all three rounds. The tournament saw strong individual performances, with multiple Bengals stepping up at different points during the event.
Senior Lexi Wilson led the team in the first round, carding a team-low 77 to help Idaho State establish a solid foundation early on. Wilson’s steady play allowed the Bengals to stay competitive on a course known for its hazards and demanding layout.
One of the most memorable highlights of the tournament came from senior Lindsey James, who recorded an eagle on the par-4, 364-yard 4th hole. The rare two-shot finish on a challenging hole marked Idaho State’s first eagle of the spring season.
In the second round, the Bengals continued to gain momentum as Wilson and James each posted 74s, marking the best rounds of the tournament for the team. Their composure and ability to make adjustments allowed Idaho State to stay competitive against a tough field of Division I programs.
Closing out the tournament, junior Ainsley Snyder stepped up on the final day, recording a team-low 77 in the third round. Her steady play helped Idaho State finish strong, providing another key confidence boost as the team prepares for its upcoming competitions.
Over the course of the three-day tournament, the Bengals racked up 36 under-par holes, including one eagle and 35 birdies. The team’s ability to score under par showcased its growing consistency and resilience, especially on a course that demanded precise shot-making.
The Sunbrook Golf Club layout tested the Bengals at every turn, featuring narrow fairways, deep bunkers, and water hazards that required strategic course management. With each round, Idaho State adapted to the conditions, showing improvement in its approach to navigating difficult holes.
With two tournaments now completed this spring, the Bengals have been able to gauge their progress and identify areas for continued improvement. The experience gained at Sunbrook will be valuable as the team moves forward in its schedule, particularly when competing against strong conference opponents.
