Central Michigan University Athletics
Sunday, September 20
East Lansing, Mich / Forest Akers West
9 a.m. (36 holes)
Central Michigan University
at
Mary Fossum Invitational
Junior Elise Fennell led CMU with a 1-over 73 on Sunday during the opening round of the Mary Fossum Invitational at Forest Akers West in East Lansing. Fennell is tied for fourth in the 81-player field heading into Monday's final round.
Photo by: Andy Sneddon
Fennell T4, Morgan T9 at Rain-Shortened Mary Fossum Invitational
9/20/2026 6:40:00 PM | Women's Golf
Chippewas third, four shots back, in 15-team field heading into final round at Michigan State's Forest Akers West
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Elise Fennell shot a 1-over-par 73 on Sunday to lead the Central Michigan women's golf team during the first round of the Mary Fossum Invitational at Forest Akers West Golf Course.
Fennell is tied for fourth, two shots behind first-round leader Emily James of Rutgers, who shot a 1-under 71.
Fennell led a strong showing by the Chippewas on Day 1 of the 15-team tournament. The Chippewas posted a 14-over 302 team score and stand in third place in a field that includes two Big Ten programs, host Michigan State and Rutgers.
CMU trails first-place Delaware (298) by four shots and the second-place Spartans (301) by one. Rutgers (305) is fourth, three shots behind the Chippewas, who have won their first two tournaments this season.
"They played tough and they stayed positive and we really played well down the stretch today," CMU coach Ryan Williams said of his players. "We finished the round really well, and got ourselves into position so we're excited.
"It's the strongest field we've played in this season. Michigan State is always a really good team and Rutgers is a solid Big Ten team, Delaware is a very good mid-major program. We're in good company and we really like where we stand right now."
The tournament, originally scheduled for 54 holes, has been shortened to 36 after rain caused a 2 ½ break in Sunday's first round. The final round is set for Monday with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.
The Chippewas' Mya Morgan is tied for ninth in the 81-player field after posting a 3-over 75, while CMU's Rachel Niskanen and Lexi Schulman are among a group tied for 17th at 5-over 77. CMU's Zoe Dull is T42 at 8-over.
The top four Chippewas – Fennell, Morgan, Schulman and Niskanen – carded just one double bogey between them in the opening round, and CMU led the field with 55 pars.
Fennell made four birdies, tying for the most in the field, while the steady Niskanen posted 13 pars, tying for third in the field.
"It was raining all morning," Williams said. "The course is set up really long; the scorecard says it's about 6,400 yards, and it's soaking wet, so it's playing a lot longer than the number.
"In situations like this, you want to lean heavily on your short game and we did that. We stayed patient, we stayed positive, and we managed ourselves really well. I was impressed.
"I think what we did mentally was more impressive than what we did on the scorecard. And when that's the case, it's a really good sign and it's really fun to watch. Really proud of the girls and how they played today and how they handled the day. It's great that they're doing that in competitive situations like, on a tough golf course, and in a strong field."
Fennell is tied for fourth, two shots behind first-round leader Emily James of Rutgers, who shot a 1-under 71.
Fennell led a strong showing by the Chippewas on Day 1 of the 15-team tournament. The Chippewas posted a 14-over 302 team score and stand in third place in a field that includes two Big Ten programs, host Michigan State and Rutgers.
CMU trails first-place Delaware (298) by four shots and the second-place Spartans (301) by one. Rutgers (305) is fourth, three shots behind the Chippewas, who have won their first two tournaments this season.
"They played tough and they stayed positive and we really played well down the stretch today," CMU coach Ryan Williams said of his players. "We finished the round really well, and got ourselves into position so we're excited.
"It's the strongest field we've played in this season. Michigan State is always a really good team and Rutgers is a solid Big Ten team, Delaware is a very good mid-major program. We're in good company and we really like where we stand right now."
The tournament, originally scheduled for 54 holes, has been shortened to 36 after rain caused a 2 ½ break in Sunday's first round. The final round is set for Monday with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.
The Chippewas' Mya Morgan is tied for ninth in the 81-player field after posting a 3-over 75, while CMU's Rachel Niskanen and Lexi Schulman are among a group tied for 17th at 5-over 77. CMU's Zoe Dull is T42 at 8-over.
The top four Chippewas – Fennell, Morgan, Schulman and Niskanen – carded just one double bogey between them in the opening round, and CMU led the field with 55 pars.
Fennell made four birdies, tying for the most in the field, while the steady Niskanen posted 13 pars, tying for third in the field.
"It was raining all morning," Williams said. "The course is set up really long; the scorecard says it's about 6,400 yards, and it's soaking wet, so it's playing a lot longer than the number.
"In situations like this, you want to lean heavily on your short game and we did that. We stayed patient, we stayed positive, and we managed ourselves really well. I was impressed.
"I think what we did mentally was more impressive than what we did on the scorecard. And when that's the case, it's a really good sign and it's really fun to watch. Really proud of the girls and how they played today and how they handled the day. It's great that they're doing that in competitive situations like, on a tough golf course, and in a strong field."
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
Friday, September 11
Thursday, June 25
Saturday, April 25
Saturday, April 25