Hannah Buck’s 80 Leads Bears on Day Two of 2011 NCAA Championship
RESULTS | PHOTO
Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla., May 11, 2011 – Sophomore Hannah Buck fired a seven-over par 80 to lead the Washington University in St. Louis women’s golf team to an 18-hole score of 343 (+51) on day two of the 2011 NCAA Division III Championship held at the Mission Inn Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.
Washington University holds a two-day score of 687 (344-343), falling two spots into a tie for 11th place in the team standings. Methodist University, who is seeking its 14th-straight and 24th overall NCAA Division III Women's Golf Championship, fired a 319 (+27) on day two to hold onto an 18-stroke lead over Gustavus Adolphus College.
“We played pretty well today and I was pleased with how the entire team played. I still feel we are leaving some shots on the course, but that is the case with most teams,” said third-year head coach Sean Curtis. “Heading into tomorrow, we have to take into account there is some tough holes out on the course, which are causing some higher scorers and some three puts. We have to stay confident in our abilities and not let things affect us.”
Buck started on the back nine on day two and was one under after a birdie on No. 13. She went through a tough stretch with eight bogies in the next 11 holes, which put her at +7 through 15 holes. She birdied the par-five seventh hole, and then went bogey-par to finish round two with an 80. Buck has a two-day score of 159 (79-80), and is tied fourth place, six shots off the lead.
“I started really well today, which was the opposite of yesterday. I had a rough patch in the middle, and then got it back together at the end,” said Buck. “I am going to keep the same mindset heading into tomorrow, and try not to put any more pressure on myself.”
Freshman Andrea Hibbert fired a 42 on the back nine and a 43 on the front nine to finish day two with an 85. Hibbert recorded six bogies and two double bogies, and sits in a five-way tie for 19th place (81-85, 166) after 36 holes of play.
Freshman Marcy Koonce improved on day one’s outing, posting an 88, with a 44 on both the front and back nine. Koonce is tied for 65th place with 177 (89-88) heading into day three.
Buck added on the play of her teammates, “After yesterday, we got most of the nerves out and we were able to play our game and I think the scorers will continue to get better.”
After a rough outing on day one of the championship, sophomore Melanie Walsh rebounded with a 17-over 90 on day two. Walsh fired a 45 on both the front and back nine with nine bogies and four double bogies. Walsh is tied for 97th place with a two-day total of 197 (107-90).
“Melanie hit a wall yesterday around hole 12, and had know where else to go and that reflected in her score,” Curtis added. “She had a different mindset today and was satisfied with her swing. As a result, she got some confidence going.”
Freshman Allyson Chee also improved on her day one outing, firing a 91 (47-44), good for tied for 84th place with a two-day score of 186 (95-91).
Washington University tees off at 8:50 (ET) a.m., on Thursday for round three of the 2011 NCAA Division III Championship.
Bear Notebook: Washington U.’s day two round bettered day one by one stroke (343, +51), and is a team-best in six rounds of NCAA Championship play the last two years … The Bears sat in 19th place after day two a year ago … Hibbert is tied for second in par three scoring (3.00) and Buck is second in par four scoring (4.39).