UCO second, NSU third going into final round
BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (May 4) – Back-nine putting woes derailed a second-round rally and left Central Oklahoma in second place at the NCAA Division II Central Regional here Monday.
The two-time defending regional champion Bronchos had nine of their 14 three-putts on the closing nine to finish with a 318, giving them a two-day total of 637 at the 5,738-yard, par-72 Hillcrest Country Club.
Augustana is at 630 and takes a seven-shot lead into Tuesday’s final round. Northeastern State is two strokes behind UCO in third, followed by Arkansas Tech (641) and Concordia-St. Paul (652).
Final-round play begins at 8:30 a.m., with the Bronchos set to start at 10:30 in threesomes with NSU and AC players. The top three teams advance to the Championship Finals in Allendale, Mich. May 13-16 along with the first three individuals not on a qualifying team.
"We had a lot of trouble on the greens today and that obviously hurt us, especially on the back nine," said head coach Michael Bond, whose team has won nine of 11 tournaments this year. "We seemed to be making a charge and then we would give it back, which was frustrating. We just have to stay patient and play the way we’re capable of."
Marla Souvannasing fired a 75 to lead UCO and is tied for the individual lead with Augie’s Sierra Langlie at 151. Lindsey Bensch had a 79, while Bethany Darrough shot 81, Daniela Martinez 83 and Katie Bensch 84.
Souvannasing highlighted a front-nine 38 with a two-foot birdie on the par-3 sixth hole and she was still at 2-over for the day after making another short birdie putt on No. 14.
The Tulsa rookie had three-putt bogeys on the next two holes, but finished strong with two easy pars and a birdie on the par-5 finishing hole after hitting her approach inside five feet.
Lindsey Bensch chipped in for par on the first hole and nearly chipped in again on No. 3 in saving par before making three straight bogeys, three-putting two of those. She rebounded to par the last three holes in making the turn at 39 and came back with a back-nine 40.
Darrough had a front nine 40 and then birdied the par-5 10th hole before giving it back with a three-putt bogey on No. 11 en route to a closing 41.
Martinez had two early double bogeys in making the turn at 43 and had two birdies in a back-nine 40. Katie Bensch played the final four holes of the front nine 1-under to go out in 39, but back-to-back triple bogeys led to a final-nine 45.
Northeastern State fell back into third place after posting a 33-over-par 321 in the second round. The top-three teams will qualify for the 2015 Division II Women’s Golf Championships.
Sophomore Baylee Price leads the way for the RiverHawks. She is in sixth place at 10-over 154 (75-79) and three strokes back of the lead.
Juniors Kayla Schroeder (78-82) and Charter Lawson (83-77) are tied for 12th place at 16-over 160. Senior Arizona Chin is in a tie for 24th at 21-over 165 (82-83) while freshman Alexis Armon is tied for 37th at 27-over 171 (88-83).
The RiverHawks will begin teeing off in the final round at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. NSU will be in the final groups with Augustana and Central Oklahoma.
2015 NCAA CENTRAL SUPER REGIONAL – Second Round Results
May 6, 2015 at Bartlesville, Okla.
(par-72, 5,838-yard Hillcrest Country Club)
Team Results
1. Augustana 316-314=630 (+54)
2. Central Oklahoma 319-318=637 (+61)
3. Northeastern State 318-321=639 (+63)
4. Arkansas Tech 332-309=641 (+65)
5. Concordia St. Paul 325-327=652 (+76)
T6. Minnesota State 336-328=664 (+88)
T6. Lindenwood 328-336=664 (+88)
8. Henderson State 329-337=666 (+90)
9. SW Oklahoma State 333-335=668 (+92)
Top-5 Individuals
T1. Marla Souvannasing (Central Oklahoma) 76-75=151 (+7)
T1. Sierra Langlie (Augustana) 76-75=151 (+7)
T3. Tavia Rutherford (Sioux Falls)* 74-79=153 (+9)
T3. Rebecka Surtevall (Arkansas Tech) 79-74=153 (+9)
T3. Rachel Gray (Concordia St. Paul) 77-76=153 (+9)
*Playing as an individual