OCU, UCO tied for second behind Arkansas Tech in UCO Classic
EDMOND, Okla. – Taylor Neidy has a share of the individual lead and Central Oklahoma is tied for second in the team race after the first day of the UCO/KickingBird Classic here Monday.
The Bronchos shot an opening 310 in their first tournament round of the spring season, four strokes behind Arkansas Tech and tied with Oklahoma City for second. Oklahoma Christian and Northeastern State are tied for fourth at 316 in the 16-team event.
Final-round play begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday at KickingBird Golf Course.
Neidy was even-par over the last 10 holes in finishing with a 2-over 72 and is tied atop the medalist standings with OCU’s Elia Fotch, one shot ahead of Drury’s Margaret Alumno.
UCO also got a 76 from Katie Bensch, while Bethany Darrough shot 78, Aly Seng 84 and June Tigert 85. Lindsey Bensch shot 79 competing as an individual.
"We didn’t get off to a very good start and that really hurt us," head coach Michael Bond said. "Taylor did a great job coming back the way she did and played really well the last 10 holes.
"We’re right in the thick of it and hopefully we play like we’re capable of tomorrow."
Neidy was four over after making consecutive bogeys at Nos. 7 and 8, but she rebounded with a birdie on the par-5 ninth hole to make the turn at 38 and followed with another birdie on the par-4 10th.
The senior standout continued her comeback with birdies at Nos. 13 and 15 to get back to even par for the round before double bogeying the par-3 16th. Neidy bounced back with her fifth birdie of the day on No. 17 before bogeying the rugged 18th hole for the 72.
Katie Bensch had consecutive 38s during her round of 76 and is tied for fifth in the individual standings.
Like UCO, Oklahoma City University had a share of second place as a team and a golfer with a share of the individual lead. Elia Folch shot 72 as the defending national champion Stars, ranked third in NAIA women’s golf, posted a 310.
Folch buried an eagle on the par-5, 503-yard 15th hole by chipping in from the fringe. Folch made par on 11 holes Monday.
"We definitely did not play as well as we had played in our first two events," OCU coach Marty McCauley said. "We are certainly looking forward to getting back out on the course tomorrow and competing during the final round."
Kailey Campbell of the Stars turned in a 77, good enough to be tied for seventh place. Campbell, a freshman from Oktaha, Okla., recorded par nine times. Anna Mikish, a freshman from Choctaw, Okla., shot an 80 while making nine pars for OCU.
Caroline Goodin supplied OCU with an 81, and Katie-Lee Wilson had an 83. Stars playing unattached were Abby Thompson (80), Raegan Barnes (84) and Taylor Cusack (100).
NSU was led by junior Arizona Chin who carded a round one score of 76 to sit tied for fifth. The round was the lowest of 2013-14 for Chin. Freshman Baylee Price shot 78 and is tied for 12th.
UCO Classic – First Round ResultsMarch 10, 2014 at Edmond, Okla.
(par-70, 6,700-yard KickingBird GC)
Team Results
1, #16 Arkansas Tech 306 (+26)
T2, Oklahoma City 310 (+30)
T2, #7 Central Oklahoma 310 (+30)
T4, Oklahoma Christian 316 (+36)
T4, #23 Northeastern State 316 (+36)
6, (RV) SW Oklahoma State 319 (+39)
7, (RV) Drury 320 (+40)
8, (RV) Lindenwood 324 (+44)
T9, (RV) Nebraska-Kearney 334 (+54)
T9, Southern Nazarene 334 (+54)
11, (RV) Northwest Missouri 339 (+59)
12, Central Missouri 345 (+65)
13, Missouri Western State 348 (+68)
14, Fort Hays State 373 (+93)
15, Southwest Baptist 395 (+115)
16, Lincoln 401 (+121)
Top-5 Individuals
T1 Elia Folch (Oklahoma City) 72
T1, Taylor Neidy (Central Oklahoma) 72
3, Margaret Alumno (Drury) 73
4, Rebecka Surtevall (Arkansas Tech) 74
T5, Arizona Chin (Northeastern State) 76
T5, Caroline Fredensborg (Arkansas Tech) 76
T5, Allison Sell (Oklahoma Christian) 76
T5, Katie Bensch (Central Oklahoma) 76