Huskers Head to Arizona for Westbrook Spring Invitational – University of Nebraska

The Nebraska women’s golf team makes its only trip west during the spring season when the Huskers compete in the Westbrook Spring Invitational, Feb. 25-26.

The 54-hole tournament at Westbrook Village Golf Club in Peoria, Ariz., begins with the first and second rounds on Sunday, Feb. 25, with a shotgun start at 9:30 a.m. (CT). The event concludes with a final round on Monday, Feb. 26 at 9:30 a.m. (CT).

The Huskers will be part of a strong 14-team field on the par-72, 6,248-yard layout at Westbrook Village. All 14 teams are ranked among the top 105 in the country, led by No. 32 South Florida, No. 40 Kansas and No. 43 Colorado State, along with No. 52 Minnesota, No. 53 Oklahoma and No. 58 Kansas State. 

No. 67 Nebraska, which has a history of success at Westbrook, is hoping to make a move up the national rankings as it approaches the heart of its spring schedule. Last season, the Huskers won the Westbrook team title with a three-round score of 843 (286-280-277). It was Nebraska’s second title in the past four Westbrook invitationals, joining a trophy in 2019.

Kelli Ann Strand, who led Nebraska with a fifth-place finish (209, -7) at Westbrook last season, carries a team-best 71.06 stroke average to Arizona. The sophomore from Challis, Idaho, is ranked No. 105 individually in NCAA Division I after tying for 11th with an even-par 144 at the rain-shortened Spartan Sun Coast Invitational (Feb. 18-19) in Sarasota, Fla. Strand opened the spring with a tie for sixth in a 96-player field at the UCF Challenge in Orlando (Feb. 3-5). Her three-round total of 210 (-6) helped her claim Big Ten Golfer-of-the-Week honors (Feb. 7). She owns five top-15 finishes in six tournaments this season.

Lindsey Thiele will play out of the No. 1 spot in Nebraska’s lineup at Westbrook, after her season-best tie for seventh (143, -1) in Sarasota. The senior from Wahoo, Neb., ranks second among the Huskers with a 73.63 stroke average on the year.