Martin posts Simpson’s best round in three years as Storm close spring season

OSKALOOSA, Iowa — Lydia Martin carded the lowest round by a Simpson golfer in more than three years as the Storm women closed the 2016-17 season with a fifth-place finish at the Mike "Fluff" Cowan Invitational on April 17-18 at Edmundson Golf Course.

Simpson shot 346-351--697 at the two-round tournament, just one shot behind fourth-place Peru State. Host William Penn capture the team title with a two-round 622 to lead the eight-team field.

Martin fired a career-best 81 in the opening round at the Par 71, 5,834-yard layout. She followed with an 82 to place 11th of 52 golfers with 163. She led the tournament in par 3 scoring, shooting even par.

Martin's first-round 81 is the best by a Storm golfer since Jennifer Gaffney shot back-to-back 80s to open the 2013 Iowa Conference Championship. 

Kelsa Berkland -- who led Simpson at each of the last two tournaments -- shot 87-89-176 to tie for 23rd. The duo of Haley Booton and Madison Hance finished just three strokes behind Berkland to tie for 26th. Booton shot 86-93-179 while Hance shot 92-87-179. Hance's second-round 87 was a season-low by two strokes.

Lexi Wagner finished 41st (106-94-200), shooting a season-low in the second round. Cassady Carmichael came in 43rd (104-98-202) and Kelsey Poppe tied for 44th (100-103-203). Courtney Mabeus only played in the second round, carding a 97. 

Storm Scorecard
11. Lydia Martin, 81-82—163
t23. Kelsa Berkland, 87-89—176
t26. Haley Booton, 86-93—179
t26. Madison Hance, 92-87—179
41. Lexi Wagner, 106-94—200
43. Cassady Carmichael, 104-98—202
t44. Kelsey Poppe, 100-103—203
WD. Courtney Mabeus, WD-97