SEDONA, Ariz. – The Shocker women's golf team is set to begin their second tournament of the week on Saturday when they open competition in the Red Rocks Invitational, hosted by Northern Arizona at Oak Creek Country Club.
 
The Shockers are looking to improve from a 15th place finish in the Tulane Classic earlier this week in New Orleans where the Shockers totaled a team score of 938, 74 strokes over-par.
 
This will be the Shockers fifth time competing in the Red Rocks Invitational and the Shockers have been here every year since 2018, excluding the COVID-19 2020 season where the tournament was cancelled.
 
The best finish for the Shockers in their four previous trips to Sedona was a tie for sixth place in 2022.
 
In addition to the Shocker five, Sarah Lawson will make the trip to Sedona and compete as an individual.
 
Fast Facts – Red Rocks Invitational
Dates: Saturday-Sunday, Mar. 16-17, 2024
Host: Northern Arizona University
Location: Sedona, Ariz. (Oak Creek Country Clubs)
Yardage: 6,824
Par: 72
Format: 54 Holes (36 first day, 18 second day)
Live Scoring: Birdiefire
The Field – 20 Teams: Team (Clippd College Golf Team Ranking)
Grand Canyon (78), Lipscomb (101), CSU-Fullerton (113), Seattle (115), Northern Arizona (122), Illinois State (136), North Dakota State (145) Weber State (152), Idaho (154), Montana State (160),  Northern Illinois (161), CSU-Northridge (167), Missouri State (173), Wichita State (177), Navy (188), Northern Colorado (191), Southern Utah (196), Creighton (219), Montana (221), Eastern Washington (222), 
 
Shocker Five in Sedona:
Kate Tilma (So.) – Transfer from Kansas State…Competed in all four fall tournaments...Posted the Shocker's only top-5 individual finish of the fall at Payne Stewart Memorial...Second most birdies on team with 29...One of three Shockers to post multiple top-20 finishes in the fall…Finished t-5th at Rio Verde Invitational on February 26.
 
Brooklyn Benn (So.) -- Appearing in the lineup for the third time this season and competing in third tournament…Posted season best 18-hole score of 74 in round two of Diamante Intercollegiate on October 23.
 
Mackenzie Wilson (So.) -- Second year Shocker playing in seventh tournament of the season… Competed in all four fall tournaments as a sophomore...Led team in stroke average (73.2) and birdies (34)...Recorded lowest 18-hole score (68) and 54-hole score (212) of any Shocker in the fall, those scores are also her new career lows...Her 212 54-hole score at Diamante was the second lowest in team history.
 
Lauren Thiele (R-Fr.) – Appearing in fourth tournament this season…Competed in two of four fall tournaments...Set personal season low 18-hole score of 76 at Big O Classic on Oct. 2...Finished t-15th in same tournament.
 
Madison Slayton (Sr.) -- Playing in 18th tournament as a Shocker… Set career lows for 18-hole and 54-hole scores in final fall tournament at Diamante Intercollegiate...Recorded first eagle of the season at Diamante Intercollegiate.
 
Coach McCurdy on…
 
…Kate Tilma:
"Kate has the ability to turn some par fives into par fours because of how long she can hit the ball. She also can carry some of the fairway bunkers that 90% of the tournament field is not going to be able to do. She's going to have a great advantage in that area and she's a great putter as well."
 
…Brooklyn Benn:
"Brooklyn had a really, really good qualifier going into this tournament. She has been working very hard and hitting the ball a lot better. She's playing with great confidence. I'm very excited that she's going to this golf course since she's seen it before and knows what to expect."
 
…Mackenzie Wilson:
"Mackenzie has such a great driver. She can work the ball both ways, has very good distance control with her irons, and she has a great competitive fire. I think she has the capability and potential to have a big breakthrough sometime soon."
 
…Lauren Thiele
"Lauren has made some adjustments to her golf game after playing in her first collegiate tournament earlier this year. She's a great ball-striker, very disciplined, and she's a great competitor."
 
...Madison Slayton
"I've seen some really good things out of Madison so far this spring in qualifying. I'm really excited to see her play this golf course. I think she could do really well down here."
 
Next Up
The Shockers will get a near month off, before returning to tournament action in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma in the ORU Spring Invitational on April 8.