Golfers Off To Outstanding Start

AMES, Iowa- The Iowa State women's golf team wanted to jump out to a strong start in its season debut earlier this week at the Dick McGuire Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M. Well, cross that wish off the season check list.

Behind a group of four golfers that finished in the top 30, the Cyclones made a late charge in the tough 17-team field to claim their first tournament title since the 2010-11 season. The tournament went down to the closing holes, as the veteran Cyclones made clutch putts down the stretch to stave off UC Davis, UNLV and Ohio State by one stroke.

Winning tournaments is special. It's especially sweet when you do it against some of the best programs in the nation. The Cyclones defeated five teams ranked in the preseason NGCA top-30 poll. The Cyclones will most likely join the list when the next poll comes out.

Head coach Christie Martens returned four starters from last year's NCAA Regional squad. A true freshman, Cajsa Persson, rounded out the top-five for the Cyclones and her debut ranks as one of the best in school history. Persson fired three-straight 73s (219) to tie for sixth in her first collegiate event.

Martens had the chance to talk with Cyclones.tv's John Walters about her team's outstanding performance this week. Click on the photo above to watch the interview.