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Comet golfer Hancock soars to victory at MVC Invitational
Cottey Comet sophomore Rachel Hancock had a history-making outing on the links, collecting the program’s first-ever first-place finish.
Hancock finished atop the field of 38 competitors at the Missouri Valley College (MVC) Spring Invitational, held (March 25-26) at Indian Foothills Golf Course in Marshall, Missouri. The Scottsbluff (Neb.) native carded a two-round score of 165, en route to a four-stroke victory. Hancock fired an opening-round 10-over-par 82, and then followed up with a final round 11-over 83 — securing the victory.
“Rachel’s game was steady on day one, and she never found herself in any major trouble,” said first-year Cottey head coach, Eric Cameron, as Hancock held a three-stroke lead at the conclusion of opening-round play.
Cameron said day two posed a challenge for Hancock, as it was her first time playing with a lead at the collegiate-level.
“It’s a totally different feeling,” Cameron said. “There’s more tension in the group, and she had more eyes on her.”
Hancock was in good shape midway through the final round, having fired a 2-over on the front-nine. Hancock, however, faltered down the stretch, shooting a 9-over on the back-nine.
“Heading into the club house, we could only hope her score would hold up,” noted Cameron. “She lost a little control of her short-game, and was having difficulty executing her putts.”
Fortunately for Hancock, the 165 held up, as Waldorf University’s Nicole Misner placed second, tallying a two-round 169.
Cameron said Hancock’s back-nine difficulties may have stemmed from lack of “on-course nutrition,” adding that staying hydrated and snacking during long round’s will be an area of focus going forward.
“When your mind is that tuned into your game, you can forget to drink fluids and eat snacks during the round,” explained Cameron. “When a round takes five hours to complete, your body can play tricks on your mind, and you don’t even know it.”
Cottey freshman Ashlee Collins, meanwhile, finished in a tie for 10th. Collins, of Lee’s Summit, carded a two-day 182. Collins fired an opening-round 93, and then improved by four strokes on day two, with an 18-hole 93 — for her first career top 10 finish.
Rounding out the Comets’ trio, it was a career-best finish for Cottey freshman Kimberlee Scott. The Holly Lake Ranch, Texas native shot a first-round 88, good for sixth-place. Scott then recorded a final-round 97, and finished in 13th.
“After day one of competition, we had the top combined score of any of the other team’s top three golfers,” said an elated Cameron.
“This was exciting for everyone, as next year we will have a complete team. With the addition of (two signees), we will be able to compete as a team for these titles,” Cameron said.
Summed up Cameron: “These results were well deserved. Rachel, Kim, and Ashlee been working hard in the gym, and on the course since arriving on campus last August. It has finally paid off. They went up against well-established programs: Evangel from Springfield, Graceland College, Missouri Valley College, Waldorf University, and College of St. Mary’s. The future of our program is bright.”
This was their second event of the spring season, as Cottey’s trio previously competed in the Central Baptist College Invitational, (March 18-19) at the Maumelle (Ark.) Country Club. Hancock was in eighth-place after the opening-round, but fell back, eventually finishing in a tie for 20th at the 45-player event. Scott, meanwhile, placed 27th, and Collins, 35th.
“We were a little rusty,” Cameron said. “Even though the scores were higher than their potential, I saw a lot of good shots out there from all three women. They are also starting to make better decisions, when calculating their shots. As we progress through the spring season, those scores will fall, and we could see something special. We are all just keeping our fingers crossed that the weather gets better, and we can get outside for our practices.”
UP NEXT
The William Woods University Spring Invitational, April 1-2 in Fulton, Missouri.