LSU’s men’s and women’s golf teams found early-season success over the weekend when they traveled to Scottsdale, Arizona, and Norman, Oklahoma, respectively.
The men’s team competed in the Maui Jim Intercollegiate, while the women’s team played in the Schooner Fall Classic.
For the men’s team, sophomore golfers Luis Gagne, Sam Burns and Nathan Jeansonne helped the Tigers set the tone early in round one of the tournament.
“Coach [Chuck Winstead] told us to focus on making the right plays and limiting unforced errors,” Gagne said. “I just wanted to keep my composure and focus on the game plan.”
He ended the day in a three-way tie for second place, while Burns and Jeansonne finished in the top 20.
Not much changed for Gagne in day two of the tournament, as he led the Tigers with his second-straight round of 6-under par.
Senior Eric Ricard bounced back after a tough first day and matched Gagne’s 6-under par performance on the second day, too.
The score vaulted Ricard 56 places up the leaderboard to 27th place.
Seniors Brandon Pierce and Rhyne Jones both shot even-par, and LSU was able to finish the round in sole possession of first place, which they maintained at the end of the tournament.
This tournament title marks the first for the men’s team in 2016.
LSU’s team 41-under par marks the lowest 54-hole tournament score as a team since at least 1985.
Gagne continued to dominate the field in the final day. He finished the Maui Jim as the individual champion, claiming his first career title.
“I’m really proud of the guys for coming out here and taking a good step forward as a team from our first event to this,” said Winstead. “We’re obviously very happy for Luis and the way he played, but the same can be said for every one of those guys wearing the LSU uniform this weekend.”
Burns, Pierce, Jeansonne and Ricard all finished the Maui Jim ranked in the top 20.
The Lady Tigers also enjoyed success in their opening tournament of the season. Senior Caroline Nistrup opened the Schooner Classic with under-par rounds of 69 and 70.
Nistrup ended day one in a tie for rank No. 7, while freshman Monica Dibildox finished 3-over par and tied at No. 25.
This was Nistrup’s first tournament back after an injury that sidelined her for the majority of last season.
“I was just excited to get back out there and compete with my team,” Nistrup said.
She would finish the tournament 2-under par 211 and tied for rank No. 10.
The women’s team finished the tournament tied with Notre Dame and Texas A&M for rank No. 6.
Both the men’s and women’s teams will take brief intermissions on their fall seasons. The Lady Tigers will return to action on Oct. 14 at the Ruth’s Chris Lady Tar Heel event, and the men’s team will compete in the David Toms Intercollegiate beginning on Oct. 8.