Off the Tee

The Kansas State Wildcats continue the 2004 fall season at the Price’s Give Em Five Challenge in Las Cruces, N.M., Oct. 4-5.  In 2003, the team finished sixth of 16, while Christine Boucher won the individual title, with a combined 213. During the 54-hole tournament, teams will shotgun start at 8 a.m. Monday for 36 holes and again Tuesday for the final 18 at the university course in Las Cruces.

Last Time Out

The Wildcats finished 15th at the Jeannine McHaney Invitational in Lubbock, Texas. With the second round cancelled for rain, K-State recorded rounds of 315-316---631. Freshman Michelle Regan, competing as an individual tied for 36th in her collegiate debut with a combined 154. Fellow freshman Kali Quick was tied for fifth after the first round, with a career-low 72.

2003 Give Em Five

The 2003 Price’s Give Em Five Challenge left the Wildcat squad with confidence. Then-senior Christine Boucher won the event with a three-round score of 213. Her third-round, 5-under 67 helped her to a six stroke victory over the three golfers tied for second and left her in the K-State record books as the second-best 54 hole score in history. Sarah Heffel, then a junior, shot a 1-under 71 in the third round for a combined 223 - her career best. She tied for sixth, her best finish on the season.

Opponent Record

In the third tournament of K-State’s season, the team will encounter seven teams they have faced already this season and nine new squads. The Wildcats have posted a 2-5 record against these previous opponents.

Knight Time

Head coach Kristi Knight begins her tenth campaign with the Wildcats this fall. Under Knight, K-State has recorded five tournament wins, including the Marilynn Smith/Sunflower Invitational and the Texas A&M Mo’Morial during the 2003-04 season. The Texas native and Oklahoma alum has coached Wildcat teams to four straight NCAA Regional  appearances and 32 top-five finishes.

Making the Open

Senior Sarah Heffel qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open over the summer. Carding a 73, Heffel finished in a three-way tie and won a four-hole playoff by shooting four pars to qualify. The Mesa, Ariz., native was one of only five players to advance from the Scottsdale, Ariz., qualifier.

2003-04 Highlights

Kansas State’s women’s golf program chronicled a successful 2003-04 season, recording two team victories at the Marilynn Smith/Sunflower Invitational and the Texas A&M Mo’Morial. The Wildcats also claimed 24 top-20 finishes individually, including Christine Boucher’s victories at the Chip-N Club Inviational, Price’s Give Em Five Challenge and Texas A&M Mo’Morial. Returning sophomore Helene Robert tied for fifth at the Notre Dame Adidas Invitational, with a combined 221. The Wildcats qualified for their fourth consecutive NCAA Regional bid, where they finished 15th at the Central Regional. Kansas State finished the season ranked No. 43  by Golfstat.