Ayal, Flores lead Rogers State to win in Hillcat Classic at Bailey Ranch
OWASSO, Okla. – Led by co-medalists Marelda Ayal and Raquel Flores, Rogers State women’s golf won the Hillcat Classic on Tuesday for its second consecutive victory.
After two rounds at the Par 72, 5,964 yard Bailey Ranch Golf Club, RSU claimed the tournament victory with a card of 626 (+50), which was seven strokes ahead of second place.
“I am proud of all the ladies this week at our home event,” said Head Coach Whitney Hocutt. “This makes back-to-back wins this spring so far. Monday’s round was a hard day with wind and cold temperatures, but each of our players overcame those obstacles. Today, for round two, the weather was better and each of our ladies worked hard and played well. As a team it was a great week on the golf course. Overall, I am very proud of all 9 of our ladies for getting the victory with multiple players in the top 20 individually. I want to thank all the staff at Bailey Ranch, all the teams who came and participated in the 2022 Hillcat Classic and our administration at RSU for their support.”
Both Ayal and Flores earned their first individual wins with both shooting 152 (+8). In the three-way playoff between Ayal, Flores and Missouri Western’s Allycia Gan, both Ayal and Flores parred No. 10 while Gan bogeyed the first playoff hole. On No. 18, Ayal won the playoff with a long par putt.
“This was the first time ever for Raquel or Marelda to win an individual title in a collegiate event, and to be able to do it at your home tournament makes it even more special,” Hocutt said.
Lydia Sitorus finished in a tie for ninth with a 161 (+17). Jaelynn Unger finished in a tie for 11th with a 162 (+18). Jessica Green and Kristin Gudmundsdottir rounded out the group in a three-way tie for 13th with both shooting 163 (+19).
“Lydia and Jess Green played together this week, and each of them overcame many obstacles and kept together a good score,” said Hocutt. “Jess Green played in her final home event and fought hard in each round. Raquel and Jaelynn played together and each one played really well. Combined, they had multiple birdies and helped our team win this week. Marelda and Kristín played together, and each of them played well.”
Playing as individuals, Jessica Osden finished in a three-way tie for 16th with a 164 (+20), while Paulina Flores finished in a four-way tie for 34th with a 173 (+17).
“Pau, Jess Osden, & Ellen Loving played well and worked hard this week. They had some really great shots and holes the last two days,” concluded Hocutt.
The Hillcats will be back in action on Monday, March 28 as they travel to St. Joseph, Mo. to compete in the 2022 Holiday Inn Express Invitational, hosted by Missouri Western at the St. Joseph Country Club.