It took four tournaments, but Ball State University women's golf coach Katherine Mowat finally got the performance she was expecting from sophomore Paige Esford.
Esford shot a team-low 10-over-par 226 at the Shoot-Out at the Legends invitational as she tied for seventh overall in the two-day tournament.
"It was much needed as a player and she came through and helped the team like that," Mowat said.
The teams best three-round score was the first time this season that Esford finished better than fourth individually among Ball State golfers. In her previous matches this fall, she finished fifth, fourth and fifth individually.
Esford said she liked the course and expects this performance to lead to better finishes throughout the entire season.
"It's what I strive for," Esford said. "It was an adjustment getting use to anything here and put three solid rounds together."
As a team, the Cardinals finished fifth in the 13-team tournament.
Ball State finished 32 shots behind the invitational's winner Eastern Michigan University, which shot a 24-over-par 888.
"I think as team we played well," Esford said. "Those weren't easy conditions; that wind was really tough out there."
The team's best round came in the second round when it shot a 299. Mowat said the team strives to shoot better than 300 in a round as a team.
She also said she was encouraged by the team's individual performances, especially after the first two rounds.
"After [Monday] it was exciting to see four players all within two strokes of each other, throw out two rounds in the 70s that's a good place to be in team," Mowat said.
With the way Esford gained confidence and play this week, Mowat said she is encouraged that Esford will be a solid contributor for Ball State in the future.
"This is more in character in her previous performances and a sign of things to come," Mowat said.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
