PHOENIX INVITATIONAL: Record-Setting Morrison Leads No. 7 Bruins by No. 2 Bears

PEORIA, Ariz. - Led by Kelsey Morrison’s record-setting performance, the seventh-ranked George Fox University Bruins overtook the second-ranked Washington University-St. Louis Bears to win the Phoenix Women’s Golf Invitational Tournament by seven strokes Saturday afternoon here at the suburban Westbrook Village Golf Course.

The Bruins shot a four-player team score of 299 on Sunday on the par-71, 5,980-yard course, three shots higher than their team-record 296 the day before, for a final score of 595.  The Bears, after a first-round 295, slipped to 307 on Sunday to finish with a 602.  The St. Mary’s College (Ind.) Belles, who are ranked 28th nationally in the NCAA Division III, shot a 331 on the first day but had to leave to catch their flight home before they could finish the entire round on the second day.

Morrison shot a four-under-par 67 on Sunday, breaking her own 18-hole record low of 69 which she had shot the day before, for a George Fox 36-hole record score of 136, six-under-par.  Olivia Lugar of Wash U. was second with a 71-73=144, and the Bruins’ Megan McGrew took third with a 74-73=147.

Other George Fox scores included a 74-82=156 (6th) by Abby Mann, a 79-78=157 (7th) by Jill Westendorf, an 83-81=164 (10th) by Loreece Magsanide, and an 84-81=165 (11th) by Whitney Jammerman.

“It was an exciting day for our team and our program,” said George Fox coach MaryJo McCloskey.  “Washington-St. Louis is one of the best teams in the nation, so this victory means a lot.  The conditions were a little tougher today, with higher wind gusts up to 20 mph, but the team was able to stay focused.  Yesterday we lost some strokes on the back nine coming in, but today, we were really strong down the stretch.

“Today’s win was a total team effort.  Kelsey followed up her record-breaking 69 with an unbelievable 67 today, which included six birdies.  Megan shot her collegiate personal best with a 73, Jill was even par for the last 10 holes, and Loreece was just two over for the back nine.  Abby and Whitney played solid too.  I think it was a team milestone with all players shooting 82 or below today.”

Complete results of the Phoenix Invitational are available on the George Fox women’s golf web site at http://athletics.georgefox.edu/sports/wgolf/2011-12/files/0317.htm.

NEXT: The Bruins will participate in the Northwest Conference Spring Classic on Saturday-Sunday, Mar. 31-Apr. 1, at the Wildhorse Resort Golf Club in Pendleton, Ore.  The Spring Classic counts as one quarter of the total score toward the NWC team title; the Fall Classic also counts as one quarter, and the NWC Championship Tournament counts as one half.  George Fox has already won the Fall Classic to take an early lead in the conference standings.