UCO third after first round of NCAA D-II Women’s Golf Championship, NSU’s Price fires 79

ALLENDALE, Mich. – Katie Bensch and Marla Souvannasing both shot 76 as Central Oklahoma got off to a solid start at the NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championships Wednesday.

The Bronchos are in third place after opening with a 312 at the 6,193-yard, par-72 Meadows Golf Course on the campus of Grand Valley State. Indianapolis shot 305 and has a one-shot lead over Rollins, followed by UCO, Nova Southeastern (317) and St. Edward’s (319).

The four-day, 72-hole tournament continues with second-round play at 8 a.m. Thursday.  UCO players start teeing off at 8:25 a.m.

"We gave back some shots on the back nine, but overall we had a pretty good day," head coach Michael Bond said.  "There’s a lot of golf left and we’re in a good position right now."

The Bronchos played the front nine a collective 3-over-par before shooting 20-over on the closing nine, making six of their eight double bogeys on the back.

Katie Bensch and Souvannasing are tied for eighth in the individual standings with their 76s.  Daniela Martinez added a 79, while Lindsey Bensch and Bethany Darrough both shot 81.

Souvannasing had three front-nine birdies in overcoming a double bogey on the par-4 eighth hole to make the turn at 1-under 36.  The freshman standout was still 1-under after a birdie on No. 13, but was 5-over on the last five holes in coming in with a 40.

Katie Bensch birdied the ninth hole to go out in 1-over 37 before starting the back nine with two bogeys and a double bogey.  The senior rebounded to play the final six holes even-par in shooting a back-nine 39.

Martinez had a 38 on the front nine, but ran into trouble early on the back with two double bogeys in a four-hole stretch.  She finished par-birdie-par to cap off a closing 41.

Northeastern State sophomore Baylee Price shot 79 and is tied for 23rd.

Price qualified for the Championship after finishing the NCAA Division II Central Region Championship tied for fifth and one of the top-three individuals not with a qualifying team. She also qualified and competed as an individual in the 2014 Championship, finishing the tournament in a tie for 23rd.

Price was 1-over on the front nine, but shot 6-over on the back nine to finish with a 79.  Price is set to tee off at 10:25 a.m. Thursday for the second round of the championship.

2015 NCAA Division II Championship – First Round Results
May 13, 2015 at Allendale, Mich.
(par-72, 6,193-yard The Meadows Golf Club)

Team Results

1.            Indianapolis                                      305 (+17)

2.            Rollins College                                  306 (+18)

3.            Central Oklahoma                          312 (+24)

4.            Nova Southeastern                         317 (+29)

5.            St. Edward’s                                      319 (+31)

6.            Tarleton State                                   320 (+32)

7.            Lynn                                                     321 (+33)

8.            Ashland                                               324 (+36)

9.            Arkansas Tech                                  325 (+37)

10.          Sonoma State                                    327 (+39)

11.          Findlay                                                328 (+40)

12.          Augustana                                          334 (+46)

Top-5 Individuals

1.            Madison Lellyo (Rollins)                                             70 (-2)

2.            Brittany LaPadula (Limestone)*                             71 (-1)

3.            Annika Haynes (Indianapolis)                                  73 (+1)

T4.         Brenna Moore (Midwestern State)*                       74 (+2)

T4.         Haley Haught (St. Edward’s)                                     74 (+2)

T4.         Casey Wild (Tarleton State)                                       74 (+2)

*Playing as an individual

NSU Individual

T23.       Baylee Price                      79 (+7)