The Wheaton Women’s Golf Team competed in the three day CCIW Women’s Golf Championships at Joliet Country Club beginning on Sept. 27, and freshman Marin Halvorsen placed historically high at the tournament. Facing conference opponents such as Augustana, Illinois Wesleyan and Elmhurst College, Wheaton ended the tournament in sixth place, only 45 strokes behind North Central College.
The two-day tournament began on Thursday with unfavorable weather conditions. Wheaton had to adjust their play to compensate for the strong winds, causing some difficulties for both Wheaton golfers and their competitors. But freshman Marin Halvorsen was able to use the weather to her advantage, quickly pulling out ahead with a near perfect first round.
Seven shots below Carthage’s freshman Sarah Schuster, Halvorsen shot an even-par at 72 strokes. This landed her in the number one spot as the only golfer on the field at par. This early lead kept both Halvorsen and Wheaton’s team in good standings for that day, putting them just six shots behind Millikin University, who was in fourth place.
Day two of the tournament found Halvorsen holding onto the individual lead while Wheaton’s team dropped to sixth place. Illinois Wesleyan pulled ahead with a strong lead at 649 while Wheaton ended the day at 796. Halvorsen said, “Day two tested my humility.
When I was playing I was super frustrated … so the third day I came out and tried not to think about the outcome and tried to play golf, my own game, and not think about the score.”
On Saturday, the final day of the tournament, Wheaton was in sixth place and Halvorsen lead the individual standings with a score of 159. After another near perfect round, Halvorsen claimed first place in individual scoring, leading the field with 236 strokes, 20 strokes over par. Halvorsen is the second ever Wheaton player to win a CCIW individual title. Casi Blanton was the previous winner in 2010.
“It’s fun to play for a school that’s all for his glory —‘Christ and His Kingdom,’ you know?”, said Halvorsen in an interview a few days later, “What happens is up to God and so I just play my best and keep my identity in , not golf.”
Halvorsen and the Wheaton Women’s Golf Team are excited to come back next season and compete again. “It’s just super fun,” Halvorsen laughed, “The girls are great and we’re all super close … I’m excited to be competitive and just do it all again!”