Women’s Golf Takes Home Top-Five Finish at BSC Southern Classic

RESULTS

Birmingham, Ala., October 8, 2012 — The No. 2 ranked Washington University in St. Louis women’s golf team placed fifth out of 22 teams at Birmingham Southern College Southern Shootout held Sunday-Monday, Oct. 7-8, at the Highland Park Golf Club in Birmingham, Ala.

In a field that featured seven ranked teams, NAIA No. 8 ranked Lee University led from start to finish to win the team title by seven strokes with a 36-hole score of 587 (292-295). NAIA No. 16 ranked University of the Cumberlands was second with a 594 (302-292), while Division III No.3 ranked Centre College (303-300, 603), 15-time defending NCAA Division III champion and No. 1 ranked Methodist University (304-302, 606) and Washington University (300-308, 608) rounded out the top five.

Courtney Shelton of Lee battled back from a three-stroke deficit on day one to claim medalist honors with a 139 (71-68). Katarina Hodge of Piedmont College and Emily Javadi of The University of the South tied for second just a stroke back with a 140.

“I think everyone feels like they left a couple shots out there today,” said fifth-year head coach Sean Curtis, the 2012 NGCA National Coach of the Year. “Overall we are played with the way we played for both days. The frustrating thing is that we put ourselves in positions on day one, but didn’t close it out. We are progressing, but still have some areas to improve upon.”

After sitting in second place after an opening round 300, Washington U. slipped three spots after a 308 on day two. The combined score of 608 was a season-low, and its lowest two-day score since a 602 at the Phoenix Invitational on March 16-17, 2012.

Washington U. continued its consistent play on day two as all four scores were at 78 or lower. Sophomore Olivia Lugar led the charge on day two with a 75, and finished the 36-hole round with a 150 (75-75) to finish in a tie for 17th place. Junior Andrea Hibbert finished a stroke behind Lugar with a 151 (74-77), to finish in a tie for 19th place.

“Today was at times frustrating and other times rewarding. Despite some great shots when I would set up nicely for birdies, I wasn’t able to score before of a few big numbers and silly mistakes,” said Lugar. “The team is definitely energized about being so close to Methodist, even after struggling today.”

Senior Hannah Buck also had a pair of solid rounds to finish in a tie for 27th place after a 153 (75-78), while freshman Connie Zhou was a stroke behind Buck with a 154 (76-78) to finish in a tie for 33rd place. Freshman Erin Lawrence competed as an individual and tied for 68th place after a two-day total of 163 (81-82).

Washington University closes out its fall season on Sunday-Tuesday, Oct. 14-16, at the Golfweek Fall Preview in Destin, Fla.

Bear Notebook: Zhou was tied for the tournament lead in par 5 scoring (-2) … As a team Washington U. was second in par 3 scoring (3.16, +8), fifth in par 5 scoring (5.27, +8) and seventh in par 4 scoring (4.53, +53) … WUSTL was also second as a team with 99 pars … The Bears rank third in the GolfStat head-to-head rankings behind Methodist and Centre.