The Western Illinois University Leathernecks Women’s Golf team will travel to Youngstown, Ohio, for the YSU Spring Invitational taking place from April 4 to April 6. The tournament will be held at Trumbull Country Club and features a two-round format on a par-70 course measuring 6,396 yards.
This event provides an opportunity for the Leathernecks to build on their recent performance at the WIU Intercollegiate. In that competition, Sophia Thorne led Western Illinois with rounds of 82, 85, and an impressive final round of 81, finishing sixth overall at +35. Cianna Law contributed steady scores across all three rounds while Dina Khvastovich also added to the team’s total. Libby Larkin played in the opening round before withdrawing due to injury.
Director of golf Charlton Zimmerman oversees the program according to the official website. The team competes in collegiate athletics as part of the Ohio Valley Conference and operates from Macomb, Illinois according to the official website.
The invitational field includes Mercyhurst—who recently finished eleventh at the Northern Kentucky Spring Fling—alongside Youngstown State, LaSalle, Le Moyne College, Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s golf (who regularly face Power Five competition), and Saint Joseph’s. According to past results reported by tournament organizers: LaSalle finished near last place at last year’s event; Le Moyne placed sixth led by Mia Avotins’ top-15 finish; and Saint Joseph’s finished last in regional competition.
The broader significance of this invitational lies in its role as preparation for upcoming conference events within NCAA Division I women’s golf. The Leathernecks’ participation continues their season-long efforts against both regional rivals and nationally recognized programs.
