UCO prevails, RiverHawks third at NSU Classic
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Central Oklahoma freshman Marla Souvannasing hasn’t taken long to make an impression on the collegiate golf scene.
Playing in just her second tournament, the rookie from Tulsa Union High School drained a 30-foot par putt on the third playoff hole to capture individual honors in the 16th Annual NSU Golf Classic and lead the Bronchos to their second straight team title.
UCO shot a closing 300 at the par-72 Cherokee Springs Golf Course and finished the two-day, 36-hole tournament with a 604 total to edge Arkansas Tech by two strokes. Host Northeastern State was third in the 17-team event at 624, followed by Missouri Western (629) and Southwestern Oklahoma (632).
It was the eight win in the last 14 tournaments for the Bronchos.
Souvannasing and June Tigert both shot even-par 72s to lead UCO, while Bethany Darrough had a 76, Daniela Martinez an 80 and Katie Bensch an 82. Tressa Brumley shot 80 playing as an individual.
Souvannasing, who finished 12th in her collegiate debut last week, tied ATU’s Megan Jeffery for medalist honors at 147. The two made routine pars on the first two playoff holes and both missed the par-4 third with their approach shots, but Souvannasing overcame a poor chip by ramming in her 30-foot par saver while Jeffery missed from 12 feet.
Tigert missed the playoff by one shot in finishing third with a 148 total, while Darrough was seventh at 150.
"Marla showed a lot of poise, especially for a freshman," head coach Michael Bond said. "She played really well today and just wouldn’t be denied in the playoff. June and Bethany also did a great job and came through when we needed them to."
The Bronchos are off next week before continuing their five-tournament fall schedule Sept. 29-30 at the MIAA Fall Preview in Hays, Kan.
Sophomore Baylee Price led the way for the RiverHawks. She finished in a tie for third after carding a second round score of 76 and a total of 4-over-par 148. Freshman Alexis Armonfinished tied for 16th after shooting 82 in Tuesday’s round to finish 13-over 157.
Junior Kayla Schroeder shot a second round score of 79 and finished with a total of 160 to finish T-27, while junior transfer Charter Lawson carded 78 in the final round to finish tied for 31st at 161. Senior Brooke Allison shot 19-over 164 after carding an 81 on Tuesday. Senior Arizona Chin, playing as an individual, ended up locked in a tie for 43rd after shooting 82 in the final round. She finished 21-over-par 165.
Northeastern State will next be in action at the Fort Hays State University Invitational Sept. 29-30 at the Smoky Hill Country Club in Hays, Kansas.
Team Results
1 Central Oklahoma 304-300=604 (+28)
2 Arkansas Tech 304-302=606 (+30)
3 Northeastern State 310-314=624 (+48)
4 Missouri Western State 317-312=629 (+53)
5 SW Oklahoma State 321-311=632 (+56)
6 Arkansas-Fort Smith 320-318=638 (+62)
7 Henderson State 322-318=640 (+64)
8 SW Minnesota State 330-320=650 (+74)
9 Arkansas-Monticello 325-332=657 (+81)
10 East Central 324-334=658 (+82)
11 Northwest Missouri 339-324=663 (+87)
12 Harding 344-349=693 (+117)
13 Southern Nazarene 342-343=695 (+119)
14 NW Oklahoma State 354-345=699 (+123)
15 Fort Hays State 365-350=715 (+139)
16 Lincoln University 382-361=743 (+167)
17 Southwest Baptist 386-371=757 (+181)
Top-5 Finishers
T1. Marla Souvannasing* (Central Oklahoma) 75-72=147 (+3)
Megan Jeffery (Arkansas Tech) 73-74=147 (+3)
T3. Madison Romjue (Missouri Western) 75-73=148 (+4)
June Tigert (Central Oklahoma) 76-72=148 (+4)
Rebecka Surtevall (Arkansas Tech) 77-71=148 (+4)
Baylee Price (Northeastern State) 72-76=148 (+4)
*Won a playoff on the third hole
NSU Individuals
T3. Baylee Price 72-76=148 (+4)
T16. Alexis Armon 75-82=157 (+13)
T27. Kayla Schroeder 81-79=160 (+16)
T31. Charter Lawson 83-78=161 (+17)
T37. Brooke Allison 82-81=163 (+19)
T43. Arizona Chin* 83-82=165 (+21)
*Played as an individual