Women’s Golf Claims First-Ever AMC Championship

Eugene, Mo. – (Individual Leaderboard | Team Leaderboard) The Columbia College women’s golf team won their first-ever American Midwest Conference (AMC) Team title on Tuesday afternoon.
 
Columbia saw all five golfers finish in the top-10, and was led by Haleigh Berrey who became the first Cougar since 2017 to win the individual title. Berrey shot a 79-75—154 (+10) and led the field in multiple stat categories including: par-4 scoring (4.30), par-5 scoring (5.00), birdies (four), and pars (22).
 
Emily Strunck finished third, moving up a spot from round one, with an 83-76—159. Strunck was second among all golfers with two birdies and accumulated 20 pars.
 
Freshman Lillian Knipfel carded an 84-78—162, which was good enough for fifth-place. Knipfel averaged 4.55 on par-4’s, 5.25 on par-5’s and racked up two birdies and 19 pars.
 
Cassidy McAlpine placed one spot behind Knipfel after shooting an 81-86—167. McAlpine shot par on 17 of the 36 holes and birdied once.
 
Sydney Willingham moved up a spot from round one and finished in a tie for eighth-place. Willingham shot 90 in round one, 85 in round two, and 175 for the entire tournament.
 
After the Championships, the AMC held its annual awards banquet where they recognized the 2021-22 All-Conference Team, Season Award Winners, Champions of Character Team, and Academic All-AMC Team.
 
Strunck and Berrey earned spots on the First-Team, McAlpine and Knipfel were named to the Second-Team, and Carson Hall, along with Willingham, were placed on the Honorable Mention list.
 
Additionally, Knipfel was named AMC Freshman of the Year and head coach Michelle Parrish earned the league’s Coach of the Year honors.
 
Berrey was the team’s Champions of Character recipient.
 
The Cougars added six players to the Academic All-AMC team, the second-most of all AMC teams: McAlpine, Knipfel, Willingham, Berrey, Hall, and McKenna Stumph.
 
Columbia Individual Results:
1: Haleigh Berrey: 79-75—154 (+10)
3: Emily Strunck: 83-76—159 (+15)
5: Lillian Knipfel: 84-78—162 (+18)
6: Cassidy McAlpine: 81-86—167 (+23)
T8: Sydney Willingham: 90-85—175 (+31)
 
Team Results:
1: Columbia: 327-314—641 (+65)
2: William Woods: 342-320—662 (+86)
3: Central Baptist: 388-373—761 (+185)
4: Missouri Baptist: 425-396—821 (+245)
 
Up Next:
The Cougars have earned an automatic berth to the NAIA National Championships in Oklahoma City, Okla. on May 24-27.