Smith Ties for Fourth in Texas

Nebraska women’s golfer Kate Smith capped a strong fall season by tying for fourth with a three-round total of 208 (-8) at the Kissing Tree Invitational in San Marcos, Texas, Nov. 1-2.

Smith, a fifth-year senior from Detroit Lakes, Minn., opened the tournament with a 70 (-2) before surging to a four-way tie for first with a five-under-par 67 in the second round on Sunday. She added another strong effort with a 71 (-1) in Monday’s final round, but Oklahoma State’s Lianna Bailey took the individual title with 65 (-7) over the final 18 holes to close at 202 (-14). Baylor’s Elodie Chapelet, who also fired a 65 on Monday, tied Oklahoma State’s Isabella Fierro for second at 203, while Smith matched Texas Tech’s Sofia Garcia in fourth.

Smith was joined at the Kissing Tree Invitational by fellow Husker Megan Whittaker, who tied for 31st (79-73-73-225) in the 49-player field. No team scores were kept at the tournament, while Smith and Whittaker officially competed unattached.

The tournament in Texas marked the end of Nebraska’s individual play during the fall campaign, as team competitions were forced to be canceled by the coronavirus.

Smith’s strong fall included a tie for seventh at the Golfweek Purdue Amateur (Oct. 10-11) with a three-round total of 218 (+2, 77-73-68). She added rounds of 76 and 75 at the Nebraska Open, and tied for 16th at the GCAA Series in Fort Collins with a three-round total of 215 (+5, 71-71-73).

Other highlights for the Huskers as individuals during the fall included Whittaker’s win at The Harvest at Indian Creek, along with a runner-up finish by Kirsten Baete. Newcomers Alice Duan and Michaela Vavrova were the top female finishers at the Nebraska Open, while Vavrova also tied Smith for 16th at the GCAA Series event in Colorado.

Along the way, Smith was named the Minnesota Golf Association Women’s Co-Player of the Year for 2020, before Duan added a Washington Golf Women’s Player of the Year.

The Huskers hope to return to spring action as a team during the spring portion of the 2020-21 season in February.