SPOKANE, Wash. - The Whitworth University women's golf team got off to a slow start this spring, hampered by a snowy, wet and long winter that limited playing and practice opportunities. But it turns out that the delayed progress may help the Pirates in two ways as they head into this weekend's Northwest Conference tournament at Aspen Lakes Golf Course in Sisters, Oregon hosted by the University of Puget Sound.

Pitkonen shot 159 at the CCS Bigfoot Invitational

Click here for the UPS results website.

The first reason Whitworth's women may have been helped by the poor weather is the forecast for this weekend. Cold and wet weather is expected to return to the Northwest and the Pirates will have plenty of experience playing under such conditions.

The second reason appears to be timing. Whitworth appears to be just hitting its stride heading into the weekend's play, based on the most recent results. Playing on Sunday (Esmerelda GC) and Monday (Meadowood GC) at the CC of Spokane Bigfoot Invitational, the Pirates posted the best team score of the tournament (492), however Whitworth's team scores were not factored into the rest of the tournament with the other two-year schools. The host Sasquatch were officially the winner with a score of 499.

Sophomores Krystal Pitkonen and Alicia Bratlien shot 79-80 - 159 and 78-89 - 167 to lead the Pirates. Mariesa Stombaugh had a total of 87-84 - 171 and Kaylin Carlson shot 82-92 - 174. Sophie Sestero and Rachel Dubes posted totals of 84-95 - 179 and 93-93 - 186, respectively.

Feeling the full effects of the winter weather, the Pirates finished a disappointing fifth at the NWC Spring Classic in March. It was especially disappointing compared to the second place finish at the NWC Fall Classic last October. But based on the results of those two events, Whitworth is currently third in the conference standings, tied with George Fox and 1.5 points behind second-place Linfield. With a return to form from the fall, the Pirates could still finish as high as second place in the final NWC standings.

Play will take place on Saturday and Sunday, with a single round scheduled for each day.

Whitworth Golf Schedule / Results

Whitworth Roster