By Sam Draut–
The Louisville women’s golf team pulled out their fourth consecutive Cardinal Cup victory on Tuesday afternoon at the University of Louisville Golf Club.
14 schools competed over the two day tournament, and six schools were rated 51st or better nationally by Golfstat. Louisville, ranked nineteenth by Golfstat, was the highest rated team in the field.
“This year the difference was the field was really challenging,” Head Coach Courtney Trimble said. “I am really please at how the team bounced back after a rough start today.”
The Cardinal’s red team won the three round tournament by 11 strokes with an 878, +14 over par. 33rd-ranked Florida State finished second, shooting +25 over par.
Louisville was led by a collective effort from their five-player red team.
Senior Laura Restrepo paced the red team, finishing fifth in the 81-player field and shooting even-par on Tuesday.
“I was playing really consistent,” Restrepo said. “I was hitting great shots all day.”
Senior Katie Mitchell and freshman Olivia Cason finished in the top ten as well, tying for sixth and ninth, respectively.
The best individual score from the Cardinals came from freshman Lexie Long on Louisville’s black team. Long tied for third and shot one under-par. She shot one under-par on Tuesday after finishing even over 36 holes on Monday.
A roster comprised of six freshman and only two seniors has come together through the first three tournaments of the year.
“The upper classmen have done a great job rallying the younger ones,” Trimble said. “They have great enthusiasm and a lot of energy. It has been a lot of fun.”
Playing in their only home tournament of the year, the Louisville golfers were excited to play on their home course.
“They were comfortable being on their home course,” Trimble said. “Knowing the golf course, knowing how the golf course plays.”
Louisville travels to Kiawah Island, South Carolina this weekend for the Palmetto Intercollegiate tournament.
