Michigan State University Athletics
Women's Golf Ready for the Central District Invitational
2/18/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
EAST LANSING - The Michigan State women's golf team will play its second tournament of the spring this coming week when the Spartans host the Central District Invitational in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Feb. 20-21. The 54-hole event will take place at the par-72, 6,265 yard St. Lucie Trail Golf Club.
Birdiefire Live Scoring | Tournament History
The Tournament
The MSU-hosted Central District Invitational began in 2000 and took place each year until 2014. Following a two-year hiatus, the tournament has returned to the Spartans' schedule. From 2000-2013, the Spartans hosted the CDI at the River Wilderness Country Club in Parrish, Florida. In 2014, the tournament moved to Lakewood Ranch Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. The Spartans have captured the CDI title twice (2002, 2008).
The last two individual winners of the CDI were both Spartans as Allyssa Ferrell captured the crown in 2014 and current MSU assistant coach Caroline Powers did so in 2013.
The Format
Play will begin both days with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start as the teams will play 36 holes on Monday and conclude the tournament the following day with the final 18. Each team will play five golfers with the top four from each counting toward the team score.
The Field
The Spartans will join 13 other schools at this year's tournament, including the College of Charleston, No. 7 Furman, Iowa, Louisville, Maryland, Memphis, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Rutgers, Toledo, UNC Wilmington and Augusta University.
The Lineup
The Spartans will go with the same lineup as the last time out with juniors Sarah Burnham and Katie Sharp; sophomore Carolyn Markley and freshmen Paz Marfa Sans and Allyson Geer.
Recapping The Florida State Match-Up
Sarah Burnham led the Spartans in their first competition of the spring at the Florida State Match-Up as the junior tied for 19th place with a 2-over par 218 (75-74-69). Her final-round score of 69 was the lowest by a Spartan in the tournament. As a team, the Spartans placed ninth in the 12-team field that included four teams in the Golfweek Top-25.
In her first collegiate tournament, Allyson Geer shot a pair of 73s in rounds one and two and then a 77 on the final day to finish with a 7-over par 223, tying for 37th place.
Notes and Numbers
Sarah Burnham is leading the Spartans with a 71.78 average ... Burnham owns the lowest round of the year (68, Tar Heel Invitational third round) and has seven rounds under par in five tournaments this season ... Burnham's 44 birdies lead all Spartans; she is followed by Carolyn Markley (34) and Paz Marfa Sans (23).
