Legends Women's Golf Battles Snow and Wind at Rumble at the Ridge

The Legends Women's Golf Team was on the road last weekend as Bethel University played host to the "Rumble at the Ridge". The 2-day event was played at Oneka Ridge in White Bear Lake, MN, and featured an 18-hole stroke play on day one, and an 18-hole match play on day two. The weather proved to be a major factor, as the teams battled near freezing temperatures, with up to 40-mph wind gusts, and even snow.

The Legends had a strong showing both days, with Ayla Larson pacing the women on her way to a 13th place finish in stroke play, and Bethanie VonEnde, competing in her first collegiate tournament, finished in 20th place. The match play on day two showcased both Larson and VonEnde's ability to battle the elements and their opponent. After a brief delay to clear snow from the golf course, the Legends got their individual matches underway against players from Luther College. VonEnde settled her nerves right away and jumped out to an early lead by winning her first two holes to go 2-up. She kept the pressure on with wins on her 5th and 6th holes to go 4-up in the match. Luther's Elleanna Gisvold was never able to get back into it, and VonEnde cruised to a 6&5 win for the Legends. Ayla Larson was locked into a battle with Luther's Maci Doty all day. The two traded wins on the 2nd and 3rd holes, before Doti took a 1-up lead on the 4th hole. They would tie the next several holes before Larson got one back and made the turn with the match all square. Doty made the first move on the back side, winning the first two holes to go 2-up. With just four holes to go, Larson mounted her comeback, with a birdie on hole 15 to bring it back within 1. On the final hole, a par three over water, Doty put her tee shot in the water, leaving the door open for Larson to complete the comeback. Larson put her tee shot to about 15-feet from the pin and made her par to tie the match, giving the Legends 1.5 out of a possible 2.0 points in the match play.

Coaches were very proud of the toughness and resilience to play in the conditions. For Bethanie to play the way she did in her first ever college tournament was fun to see, and for Ayla to continue consistently putting herself into contention is a testament to the work she has been putting in. Legends women will be back on the road this Thursday (4/23) for a quad-meet in Moorhead, MN, their final tune up before making their way to Ankeny, Iowa for the North Plains District Championships on April 27-28.