COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Kentucky Wesleyan College women's golf team opened its season over the weekend at the Cumberland Trail Classic, hosted by Ohio Dominican University. The Panthers, the most improved team in the nation last season, posted a seventh place finish out of nine teams while Maddie Zimmerman carded a strong final round to place in the top 20 overall.
 
On a wind-swept Cumberland Trail Golf Course, the Panthers saw all four rounds in the 80s to open the event. Wesleyan started play on Saturday with a 345, led by Samantha Yake and a round of 84. Zimmerman opened with an 85 while Scout Pope added an 87.
 
Erin Sexsmith carded a first round 89 to help the Panthers sit in seventh place, two shots behind Ohio Valley and five shy of host Ohio Dominican. The wind picked-up on a cold Sunday morning. The greater Columbus area featured overnight temperatures in the 40s while Wesleyan took to the course at 9 AM.
 
The Panthers struggled with a wind shift in the final round, but Zimmerman closed with a final round of nine over par 81. Zimmerman posted a 36-hole total of 166 to move up to 20^th overall in a field of 48 players.
 
Yake finished in a tie for 30^th with a two-day total of 174. Sexsmith finished with a final round of 90 to post a 36-hole total of 179.
 
The Panthers will travel to Lemont, Illinois next week to play in the Lewis Flyer Invitational. The 36-hole event will be contested at historic Cog Hill Golf Club.
 
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