HOUSTON, TX – The Iowa State Cyclones women’s golf team is set to compete in the Texas Golf Throwdown, a two-day tournament beginning Monday, February 16, at The Woodlands Country Club in Houston, Texas. This marks the first appearance for the Cyclones in this particular event, as they look to build momentum following their fall season performance.
Currently ranked 40th nationally, according to Clippd, Iowa State enters the tournament as the second-highest-ranked team in the field, trailing only Texas A&M, who holds the 6th position. The Cyclones are aiming to replicate the success they experienced earlier in the season and establish a strong showing in the spring portion of their schedule.
The tournament will be held at The Woodlands Country Club’s Tournament Course, a challenging layout familiar to many professional golfers. The course annually hosts the PGA Tour Champions Insperity Invitational, and previously served as the longtime home of the Shell Houston Open. Players will navigate a course featuring breathtaking lake views, strategic water hazards, and pristine Bermuda fairways.
Leading the charge for Iowa State will be Pammy Chookaew, currently ranked 37th in the country in the CLIPPED Rankings. She will be joined by teammates Karisa Chul-Ak-Sorn, Nichakorn Pinprayoon, Alexandra Vidal, and Isabella Yan. Keeley Marx will participate as an individual competitor.
Tournament Details and Competition
The Texas Golf Throwdown will consist of 54 holes played over two days, with two rounds scheduled for Monday and a final round on Tuesday. Competition will be stiff, with a diverse field including fellow Large 12 opponent Cincinnati, as well as teams from Texas State, University of Texas at Arlington, St. Thomas, Minnesota, Oral Roberts, Murray State, Middle Tennessee, Montana State, Eastern Kentucky, Nebraska, Tarleton State, Austin Peay, and host Sam Houston State. Sam Houston State University is hosting the event.
Iowa State is coming off a challenging performance at the Purdue Puerto Rico Classic, where they finished 15th out of 18 teams. The team’s national ranking dropped from 29th to 40th following that event. However, Karisa Chul-Ak-Sorn delivered a strong individual showing in Puerto Rico, finishing tied for 15th with a score of -3. Iowa State finished with a collective team score of 878 at the Purdue Puerto Rico Classic.
Course Overview: The Woodlands Tournament Course
The Tournament Course at The Woodlands Country Club presents a true test of championship golf. Designed to challenge players of all skill levels, the course features a par of 72 and spans 6,296 yards. The course is located 40 minutes away from downtown Houston. Its layout incorporates natural tree lines, forced water carries, and stunning lake views, creating a visually appealing and strategically demanding experience.
Cyclones Lineup
- Pammy Chookaew
- Karisa Chul-Ak-Sorn
- Nichakorn Pinprayoon
- Alexandra Vidal
- Isabella Yan
- Keeley Marx (Individual)
The Cyclones will look to capitalize on their experience and talent as they navigate the challenging conditions at The Woodlands. Following the Texas Golf Throwdown, Iowa State will remain in the Houston area to compete in the Chevron Collegiate tournament on February 23rd and 24th.
As the spring season progresses, the Cyclones aim to build upon their fall performance and contend for a strong finish in the Big 12 Championship. The Texas Golf Throwdown provides a valuable opportunity to assess their progress and refine their strategies as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
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