The Iowa State women’s golf team wrapped up its fall season with a tenth-place finish last weekend at the 13-team Beacon Woods Invitational in Florida.

The Cyclones shot a 54-hole total of 956, two strokes behind ninth-place North Carolina-Wilmington. Indiana won the team title with a 911 total. The University of Mississippi took runner-up honors with a total score of 926.

“We certainly didn’t play as we had in the past down there,” Coach Julie Manning said. “Overall, I was disappointed.

“Physically their golf swings looked good, but the mental part was not there. I saw some immaturity out there,” she said. “They are always looking for something in their swing and they’re looking too quickly to change.

“The team had a tough time during the last round of the Big 12 and I think it may have carried over a bit in Florida,” Manning said.

The linksters were led by senior Fiona Watson, who shot rounds of 80-79-71 for a total of 230 and placed ninth in the field of 68 golfers.

“Fiona played great during the last round,” Manning said. “She is on a teeter-totter right now with her confidence, and during the early rounds it tipped to the negative.

“It is great to see her do well. She has come back so far after not even hardly being able to swing a club last year.

“If you wanted someone to succeed, it would be someone like Fiona,” she said.

Two other Cyclone seniors made big contributions in the tourney. Cathy Matthews tied for 36th with a score of 240 and Sara Linneman placed 43rd, just one shot behind Matthews.

“Sara has been very steady,” Manning said. “At the beginning of the season I would’ve never thought she would’ve been our No. 2 golfer. She is always scratching and clawing. I wish I could put that fight in some of my other golfers.”

Linneman said the extended trip south was a good way to finish the season.

“It was nice to be down there for a while,” Linneman said. “We had a little time to work on our swing and our scores improved throughout the rounds.”

Freshman Noel Jacobusse tied for 49th with a score of 245, while Cathy Ennis shot a 252 to finish tied for 62nd.

“We have a couple of freshman knocking on the door,” Manning said. “They just need to get some more experience.”

Megan Breen of Mississippi earned medalist honors with a score of 223, one stroke ahead of Indiana’s Jenny Gray.

“Indiana is always strong,” Linneman said. “They always have quality players. Not only are they a power in the Midwest region, but nationally.”

With the fall season over, the women now are preparing for winter conditioning, in which the team will work on mechanics and staying in shape over the next few months.

However, Manning said the most important things for the players will be to bond as a team and gain confidence during the off-season.