Cowgirls win, Tulsa third in UNF Collegiate in windy Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Oklahoma State placed four golfers in the top 10 and notched a five-shot victory in the UNF Collegiate Tuesday at Jacksonville Golf & Country Club. Florida Gulf Coast finished five shots back and the University of Tulsa was 16 shots back in third.
Over the final 18 holes of play, the Cowgirls played to a 9-over 297, bringing their final total to 888 (+24).
Oklahoma State and Florida Gulf Coast battled for the lead spot throughout the day, but OSU pulled away after combining to go 3-under over the final 3 holes.
This marks the 107th team tournament title in program history and head coach Annie Young’s fifth win as the leader of the Cowgirls. Oklahoma State now has two tournament victories this season, with its first coming at the Schooner Fall Classic (Sept. 20-21).
“It was good to get the win in Jacksonville,” said Young. “The team fought hard in difficult conditions. It was great to see Marta finish second! There was a lot of good golf that we can build on for the rest of the season.”
Making her spring debut, Marta Silchenko finished as the individual runner-up at just 1-over-par. The junior carded a steady 73-73-71—217 to earn the best placement of her collegiate career. A final round 71 (-1) secured Silchenko 2nd place and marked her seventh round at par-or-better this season.
Yu-Chu Chen placed in the Top 10 for the first time as a Cowgirl, tying for 7th at 6-over-par. The freshman from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, was strengthened by an even-par 72 in the second round.
Ellie Bushnell picked up her third Top-10 finish of the season, coming in 9th. Bushnell’s 73-76-74—223 (+7) scorecard featured 8 birdies, bringing the junior to 246 for her career.
Competing as an individual, Summer Lee rounded out the crew of Cowgirls in the top 10. The sophomore fired a 2-under 70 to cap off her week, tying for 10th place at 8-over. Lee was one of just three golfers to card an eagle.
Grace Kilcrease wasn’t far behind, claiming a share of 15th after posting a 76-74-77—227 (+11) scorecard.
Lucy Darr finished at 17-over-par.
The Cowgirls return to action next Monday, March 2, for the Lady Luck Invitational in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Tulsa earned its third top-three finish of the season as it shot 40-over par 906 including 297 (+9) in the final round.
“We put up one of the best rounds today for the 3rd round,” stated coach Mike Roters. “I am proud of the fight in this group. This team had some great intentions and maintained those intentions for about 80 percent of the tournament. We’re looking forward to getting back at it next week. We have a quick turnaround and leave Tulsa Friday for the Annika event in South Carolina and get the pleasure to play one of the best course in the United States in Old Barnwell.”
Earning her second straight top-five finish and leading TU was Samantha Olson. She shot 1-over par 73 in the final round to stay in a tie for fifth place. She finished the event at 221 (+5) to earn another top 5 finish.
Moving up five spots on the leaderboard on the final day was Jenni Roller. Roller shot her best round of the tournament as she was 2-over par 74 in the final round. She tied for 13th, her fifth time this season, earning a top-20 finish. She finished 10-over par 226.
Earning a tie for 24th place were Zoe Shamy and Allyn Stephens. Shamy finished with a score of 13-over par 229. This was her third finish in the top 25 this season. Stephens shot her best round of the tournament and improved 11 spots on the leaderboard. She fired a round of 73. This was her best round since the Route 66 Invite.
Jeanne Pagnier rounded out the Golden Hurricane. She shot 82 in the final round and finished in a tie for 61st. Playing as an individual, Hanna Robinett earned a 76th-place finish.
Tulsa returns to action on Sunday, March 1, at the Annika More Than Golf Invitational Presented by Bank of America. The event will take place on March 1-3 at Old Barnwell Golf Club in Aiken, S.C.TEAM SCORES
| 1. | Oklahoma State | 888 (+24) |
| 2. | Florida Gulf Coast | 893 (+29) |
| 3. | Tulsa | 904 (+40) |
| T4. | South Florida | 916 (+52) |
| T4. | Augusta | 916 (+52) |
| 6. | South Alabama | 920 (+56) |
| 7. | Miami | 923 (+59) |
| 8. | Furman | 928 (+64) |
| 9. | North Florida | 929 (+65) |
| 10. | Sam Houston | 931 (+67) |
| 11. | Campbell | 938 (+74) |
| 12. | Old Dominion | 953 (+89) |
| 13. | Eastern Kentucky | 958 (+94) |
| 14. | Jacksonville | 964 (+100) |
TULSA SCORES
| T5. | Samantha Olson | 221 (+5) |
| T13. | Jenni Roller | 226 (+10) |
| T24. | Zoe Shamy | 229 (+13) |
| T24. | Allyn Stephens | 229 (+13) |
| T61. | Jeanne Pagnier | 241 (+25) |
| 76. | Hanna Robinett (Ind.) | 249 (+33) |
Cowgirls on the Leaderboard
2. Marta Silchenko (+1) – 73-73-71—217
T7. Yu-Chu Chen (+6) – 74-72-76—222
9. Ellie Bushnell (+7) – 73-76-74—223
T10. Summer Lee* (+8) – 80-74-70—224
T15. Grace Kilcrease (+11) – 76-74-77—227
T39. Lucy Darr (+17) – 79-78-76—233
* – competed as an individual