Columbia
Nittany Lion Invitational
Paik, Shen Head Columbia’s Effort at Nittany Lion invitational
9/18/2022 8:24:00 PM | Women's Golf
Shen cards final-round 74 in first collegiate event
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — The Columbia women's golf team wrapped up its first fall tournament of the 2022-23 academic year with a 14th-place finish at the Nittany Lion Invitational. The 54-hole event was hosted at the Penn State Blue Course.
The Lions were led on the final day by first-year Emma Shen. Competing in her first event as a Lion, Shen climbed 11 spots with a final-round 2-over-par 74. Starting on 13, Shen was 4-over on her round entering her final three holes. She birdied the par-4 10th and bogeyed the par-4 11th before sinking the shot of the tournament at the par-5 12th. Sitting 185 yards from the pin, Shen hit a 5-iron that landed short of the green, took a few hops, rolled into the green, hit the flagstick and dropped for an eagle 3. The hole out earned Shen a tie for 36th at 11-over-par 227.
"This is a really young team with exceptional attitudes and poise on the golf course," head coach Amy Weeks said. "It's always nice to see that representation of themselves and of Columbia. We have a totally different lineup from last year, so I see this as an exciting time for our program. There are some really high golf IQs in this group."
Junior Allison Paik matched Shen at 11-over for the tournament. The veteran played experienced golf all weekend, making no worse than bogey on any of her 54 holes and completing her tournament with a final-round 4-over 76.
On the individual side, senior Christine Shao tied for 46th at 13-over 229. After posting 75-76 on Saturday, Shao battled to post a 6-over 78 on Sunday. She had one birdie to go with seven bogeys in her final round and made worse than bogey just once all tournament.
"I think one of the strengths of this team in the long term is going to be its depth," Weeks added. "That's going to start formulating itself now — it's just a matter of work, practice and getting our yardages dialed in."
Columbia will spend the week preparing for the Princeton Invitational, which takes place next Saturday and Sunday at Springdale Golf Club.
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