Eldredge, Gough shine as Stars win Maxwell Berning Classic
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University polished off the victory in the Susie Maxwell Berning Classic on Tuesday at Lincoln Park Golf Course.
Oklahoma City, ranked 17th in NAIA women’s golf, captured the win by 16 strokes. Melissa Eldredge, a junior from Eufaula, Okla., led four Stars who finished among the top 10.
The Stars turned in a 295-290–585 to best 11th-ranked Texas Wesleyan, which shot a second-place 302-299–601 on the par-72, 5,900-yard course. OCU collected its second victory of the season.
OCU concluded the regular season. The Stars play their final three tournaments at Lincoln Park. Next up will be the Sooner Athletic Conference Championships on April 19-20, when OCU seeks its 16th SAC championship at Lincoln Park.
Lincoln Park Golf Course also hosts the NAIA Championships on May 14-17. The Stars own eight national titles.
Eldredge delivered a 74-71–145 to tie for second place. Eldredge finished with eight birdies after sinking five Tuesday. Two of her birdies came on par-5 holes – the 451-yard fifth hole and 500-yard seventh hole.
OCU’s Natalie Gough, a freshman from Bixby, Okla., shot a 74-72–146 to tie for fourth place. Gough knocked in six birdies, including four in the last round. Lauren Behnken compiled a 76-72–148, good for a tie for seventh. Behnken, a freshman from Tulsa, Okla., drained six birdies.
Lauryn Pritchard contributed a 74-75–149 for the Stars. Pritchard, a freshman from Allen, Texas, made par 25 times during the 36-hole tournament. McKenzie McCoy, a sophomore from Beggs, Okla., added a 73-78–151, which placed her 13th.
OCU entered an additional team in the field and finished fourth with a 318-306–624. Rachel Eckert, a freshman from Bixby, Okla., amassed an 80-73–153 to propel the other team, which finished eight shots better than 16th-ranked William Penn (Iowa).
Clair Hill, a sophomore from Gig Harbor, Wash., pitched in an 83-75–158, and Regan McQuaid, a senior from Tulsa, Okla., produced an 85-75–160.
Arianna Medina, a sophomore from Phoenix, had a 78-83–161, while Loren Matrone, a sophomore from Frisco, Texas, carded a 77-84–161.