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Shutt helps YSU women win Spring Invitational
Shutt’s round of 72
powers Penguins
By BOB ETTINGER
YOUNGSTOWN
Katlyn Shutt couldn’t have gone into the turn feeling any better than she did following her performance on the ninth hole at Youngstown Country Club.
The Youngstown State junior also understood she was only midway through the day.
As she walked off the Course, Shutt was feeling pretty good, earning medalist honors at the YSU Spring Invitational.
“It’s my second victory and the second at home (the first being in the Penguins’ home event at Mill Creek),” Shutt said. “My family was able to come and it feels great to win a round at home.”
Behind Shutt, the Penguins claimed the win as a team with a final tally of 298 on the par-72, 5,914-yard course. Cleveland State was second with 308 and Bowling Green was third with 313.
“We’ve been playing really well all spring,” YSU coach Nate Miklos said. “We went out and continued to do what we’ve done all spring. They stayed in the present and trusted their skill. They know there are some tough holes out there that can lead to bogeys. They did a good job managing themselves and playing great golf.”
Shutt finished with an even-par 72, Puthita Khuanrudee netted a 73 and Jenna Vivo shot a 76. Rattika Sittigool completed the course with a 77 and Victoria Grans added a 78.
“We were just solid 1-5,” Miklos said. “A couple of the girls didn’t play their best rounds today, but we have so much depth. We had a couple of girls right around par. Even though they weren’t at their best, they still gave us rounds in the upper 70s. That helps so much.”
The Penguins can rest easy knowing they’re playing well heading into the Horizon League Championships next weekend at Mission Inn Resort and Club-Las Colinas Course in Howey-In-The-Hills, Fla.
“What today means to us is we’re doing the right things heading into conference championships,” Shutt said. “The conditions were a little tough. It was long and windy today. We played decently. It’s a little confidence boost.”
Shutt closed her first nine with a birdie on the par-3, 170-yard ninth.
“I stuck it to about a foot of the pin,” Shutt said. “It took one hop and stopped close. It was a good hole to end nine on. It was good walking off knowing I was one under, but the back is tricky with placement. I knew I had some work to do on the back. I had to stay calm and do my best.”
Shutt did a good job of managing the course and limiting her trouble.
“All around, I was pretty solid,” Shutt said. “I took birdies when I had opportunities and tried to have no bogeys. I stayed even and did what I had to do to shoot even.”
Playing at home on a familiar course was a bit of a boost for Shutt.
“It gave me a bit of an advantage, especially knowing the greens at YCC break a lot more than you think they do,” Shutt said. “It gives me an edge. Youngstown is a great city.”