EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan State women’s golf team finished runner-up at the 32nd annual Mary Fossum Invitational with a 37-over-par 901 (300-297-304) as the 54-hole tournament concluded Sunday afternoon at Forest Akers West. Notre Dame won the event for the second consecutive year with a 23-over 887.
Sophomore Sarah Burnham, who set an MSU single-round and Forest Akers course record with a 6-under 66 in the first round, led the Spartans by tying for third place at 3-over 219 (66-75-78). Burnham was in contention for medalist honors the entire tournament before Toledo’s Sathika Ruenreong birdied two of her final three holes to take first place at even-par 216 (75-69-72). Notre Dame’s Talia Campbell finished in second, two shots behind Ruenreong, with a 2-over 218 (74-72-72).
For Burnham, it marked a career-best finish, besting her sixth-place showing as a freshman at the 2014 Fossum Invitational.
“We definitely had some ups, and we had a few downs,” said MSU head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, as the Spartans were within three shots of the Fighting Irish midway through the final round. “But it’s the beginning of the season and we’re still quite a young team. We’re just looking forward to a great season. Sarah Burnham setting a new school record and course record (66 in the first round) — things like that just don’t happen every day. We have a lot of good things going, but we can definitely see things that we need to work on in the next few days before we leave for Nashville.”
Redshirt sophomore Katie Sharp also posted the best finish of her young Spartan career, tying for fifth place with a 5-over 221. Sharp closed the tournament with the best round of the day at even-par 72 in a round that featured three birdies.
In her first Fossum Invitational as a Spartan, senior Alison Knowles tied for 14th place. Knowles, who shot a 69 in the second round — her lowest wearing the Green and White — finished with an 11-over 227 (82-69-76).
Senior Gabby Yurik tied for 37th with a 237 (77-79-81), while sophomoreJacqueline Setas tied for 41st (82-79-78–239).
Individually for the Spartans, freshman Carolyn Markley, playing in her first collegiate tournament, tied for 15th place at 12-over-par (77-74-77). SeniorMariah Massa delivered her best collegiate finish by taking 21st with a 14-over 230 (81-72-77).
Greer Clausen (82-82-81–245) and Mackenzie Johnson (84-83-86–253) also competed for the Spartans.
Following the trophy ceremony, all of the participants shook hands with Mary Fossum, paying tribute to the Hall of Fame coach.
“I get emotional about her and everything she has done for Michigan State,” Slobodnik-Stoll said regarding Mary Fossum. “I just really feel like I owe everything I have in my life to her because she gave me this opportunity to coach. So it’s just awesome that she’s able to be here and I’m able to share someone who was really a pioneer in women’s golf, someone who really paved the way for all of the wonderful opportunities that we have today.”
The Spartans return to action next weekend for the Mason Rudolph Championship Sept. 18-20 in Franklin, Tennessee, at the Vanderbilt Legends Club North Course.
