Image: Photo of WCU Women’s Golf
On Sept. 24, West Chester University’s (WCU) women’s golf team placed second at the Millersville Fall Classic; sophomore Morgan Kunze took second individually. The two-day classic occurred at Berkleigh Golf Club in Kutztown, the same course where the golf team competes for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship each spring. The tournament consisted of 49 players across eight teams.
Kunze, originally from Limerick, PA, put up a 74 score during the second round, beating her career best by a stroke. This included five birdies and an eagle on the par-five fourth hole. Kunze finished the tournament at five-over (75, 74; 149) after going one-over on both the front (38) and back (36) nine on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Unfortunately, Alvernia University prevailed over WCU for both the team and individual titles. Alvernia’s individual title winner, McKylie Boreman, shot an overall +3, beating Kunze by only two shots.
Following her performance at the Millersville Fall Classic, Kunze was named PSAC Women’s Athlete of the week. This was her second time receiving the title in the month of September and her third time overall. “Being named Women’s Golf Athlete of the week always means so much to me,” she explained, “because it shows that my effort and commitment to the sport is being recognized. I am so grateful.”
Kunze was first named PSAC Women’s Athlete of the Week as a freshman, after picking up her first collegiate tournament victory in the Vulcan Fire Classic. Her win took place during the team’s first tournament of the spring 2024 season, climbing from a tie for seventh after shooting an 87 (+15) in the opening round. Kunze shot a nine-over 81 in the second round, giving her the Individual Tournament Title while also leading WCU to a team victory.
With three tournaments left in the season, Kunze is confident in her team’s potential: “I know we have it in us and I’m excited to see what kind of numbers we can put up at Moselem Springs in two weeks.”
The women’s golf team is scheduled to make their next appearance at the two-day Kutztown Fall Invitational starting on Oct. 6. The invitational will be located at Moselem Springs Golf Club in Fleetwood, PA. WCU’s women’s golf team took second place last year at the Kutztown Fall Invitational, finishing with four players in the top 10. This year, the women’s golf team is hoping to bring home a win.
Kunze hopes to play at the same caliber she has been in the past few tournaments. Her goal is to win another tournament individually, her second win during her collegiate career. To prepare for the upcoming tournaments, Kunze practices six days a week, at least two to three hours each day. Her main focus at the moment is perfecting her putting. “I’m trying to focus on not making three putts throughout my round and I already see a difference in my scoring,” she said; “As long as I can keep my putting under control and make greens in regulation, I’ll be in really good shape for these last couple of tournaments.”
Sophie Stair is a second-year English major with a minor in Journalism.