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By DAN MIROCHA
Assistant Editor
ATHENS,
Ga. – A swarm of players and coaches were frantically hitting “refresh”
on their Blackberrys and iPhones to check Golfstat’s live scoring while
Virginia freshman Joy Kim lined up a 5-foot birdie putt on the 18th
hole at the University of Georgia Golf Course.
“I was really nervous because I didn’t know how my team was doing,” Kim said. “My hands were shaking when I grabbed the putter.”
Kim
had just birdied the 17th hole and as the final Cavalier on the course
at the NCAA Women’s East Regional, had the team’s destiny in her
nervous hands. Without knowing if she needed to make the putt to send
her team to the NCAA Championship, Kim rolled the ball into the hole
and the celebration was on.
“After Joy snuggled it close (on No. 18), all my shakiness went away,” coach Kim Lewellen said. “She’s money with 5-footers.”
It
turned out the birdie gave the Cavaliers a two-shot cushion and a trip
to their first NCAA Championship since 2005. Virginia posted a 4-over
292 to move from ninth to fifth, while Kim closed with five birdies in
her final nine holes for a 68. Earlier this year, Kim finished 67th on
this same course at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic with rounds of
84-80-77.
“To be honest, I wasn’t happy about coming back,”
Kim said. “I was so angry after how I played here the last time, I
threw my yardage book away. But I’m pretty happy right now because I
feel like I beat the course instead of it beating me.”
The
21st-ranked Cavaliers finished a shot behind Duke at the ACC
Championship two weeks ago, and drew upon that experience entering the
final round in Athens. Sophomore Whitney Neuhauser and freshman Calle
Nielson closed with 74s, and juniors Lene Krog and Jennie Arseneault
both shot 76. But it was Kim whose dramatic finish at crunch time
sealed the Cavaliers’ spot in Albuquerque, N.M., in two weeks.
“I knew I had to play well today for the team to make it to the NCAAs,” Kim said.
• • •
SINGING IN THE SWAMP:
Florida capped off an improbable spring season with its fourth team
title, edging Duke by a shot. Playing without senior Whitney Myers, the
Gators got a strong performance from senior Tiffany Chudy who made
three birdies on her final six holes to close with a 1-under 71.
“We proved to anyone who had any doubts that we can get it done,” Chudy said.
After
senior standout Sandra Gal turned pro midway through the season, Myers
did not travel to Athens for violating team rules. It proved not to
matter. Freshmen Hannah Yun and Jessica Yadloczky closed with 74s, and
while Myers’ replacement Nicole Schachner did not have a counting score
for three rounds, the team’s spirit was unbreakable.
“I think we
all might have thought about how we were going to make it,” Yadloczky
said. “But we’re strong players and when it comes to golf time, I don’t
think we can be stopped.”
• • •
LAST CALL: Furman
got the final ticket to Albuquerque, but had to wait over an hour for
confirmation. Coach Jen Hanna and the rest of the Lady Paladins paced
nervously around the area behind the ninth and 18th greens, until
finding out their 36-over 900 was good enough to qualify for the
national championship by a shot.
“It was really hectic, but we
held it together,” said Stefanie Kenoyer, who won the Southern
Conference Championship and was one of three players who closed with
76. “A lot of people think Furman isn’t as competitive as the rest, but
we know we’re just as good as the top 20 teams in the country.”
Last
year, the Paladins shot a final-round 301 at the East Regional to drop
from fourth to 11th. They missed a national championship berth, and it
looked as if a trip to Albuquerque was in danger this year.
Despite
finishing with rounds of 307-301, Hanna said there’s reason to be
positive about her young team that features a junior, two sophomores
and two freshmen.
“They played a little scared today and I knew
this was going to be a tough tournament for them because they wanted it
so bad,” Hanna said. “They had to dig deep and they did.”
• • •
DOUBLE TAKE:
Wake Forest and South Carolina both advanced by two shots thanks to
last-minute birdies. After making bogey on No. 15 and quadruple bogey
on No. 16, Gamecocks sophomore Benedicte Toumpsin birdied her final two
holes. She closed with a 76 to win the individual title by a shot over
Duke’s Amanda Blumenherst and Louisville’s Sara-Maude Juneau.
For the Demon Deacons, junior Nannette Hill followed a bogey at No. 15, with birdies on Nos. 16-17.
“I was just going after pins. I had nothing to lose,” Hill said.
• • •
RUDE AWAKENING:
New Mexico missed a chance to play for the national championship on its
own course by a shot. Senior Alexandra Phelps birdied three of her last
six holes, including an 8-footer in front of a large gallery on the
18th hole. After the putt dropped, her teammates rushed to hug her on
the green thinking their final-round 296 was enough. About ten minutes
later, they found out it wasn’t.
“We thought we were a little
lower,” coach Jill Trujillo said. “We got a little excited for no
reason. To have it end like this, it’s really disappointing.”
• • •
DEVIL OF A TIME:
Duke was the first team to leave the property after coming up a shot
short of defending its regional title. Before leaving, coach Dan Brooks
delivered a simple message about his players when asked how they would
respond at the NCAA Championship: “It comes down to a choice of what
you want your memories to be. I think I know what they’ll choose to
take away from this experience by the end of May.”
• • •
Dan Mirocha is a
Golfweek assistant editor. To reach him e-mail
dmirocha@golfweek.com.
Final scores with relation to par from the NCAA Women’s
East Regional, played May 8-10 at the par-72, 6,335-yard University of
Georgia GC in Athens, Ga. (Note: y-playing as an individual; z-advanced to NCAA Championship as an individual):
| TEAMS |
|
|
|
| 1. Florida |
290-295-298--883 |
+ |
19 |
| 2. Duke |
285-303-296--884 |
+ |
20 |
| 3. Georgia |
299-300-290--889 |
+ |
25 |
| 4. Auburn |
296-302-296--894 |
+ |
30 |
| 5. Virginia |
296-310-292--898 |
+ |
34 |
| 6. South Carolina |
291-303-305--899 |
+ |
35 |
| 6. Wake Forest |
298-305-296--899 |
+ |
35 |
| 8. Furman |
292-307-301--900 |
+ |
36 |
| • • • |
|
|
|
| Failed to advance |
|
|
|
| 9. New Mexico |
304-301-296--901 |
+ |
37 |
| 10. Louisville |
293-315-304--912 |
+ |
48 |
| 11. Vanderbilt |
308-305-301--914 |
+ |
50 |
| 12. East Carolina |
314-297-308--919 |
+ |
55 |
| 13. UNC Wilmington |
312-302-308--922 |
+ |
58 |
| 14. Georgia St. |
308-306-310--924 |
+ |
60 |
| 15. Missouri |
305-320-300--925 |
+ |
61 |
| 16. Tennessee |
311-311-307--929 |
+ |
65 |
| 17. Central Florida |
312-311-307--930 |
+ |
66 |
| 18. Indiana |
309-313-311--933 |
+ |
69 |
| 19. Charleston Southern |
309-315-326--950 |
+ |
86 |
| 20. Jacksonville St. |
327-315-313--955 |
+ |
91 |
| 21. Jackson St. |
338-333-325--996 |
+ |
132 |
| • • • |
|
|
|
| INDIVIDUALS |
|
|
|
| 1. Benedicte Toumpsin, S. Carolina |
68-70-76--214 |
|
-2 |
| 2. Amanda Blumenherst, Duke |
68-73-74--215 |
|
-1 |
| 2. z-Sara-Maude Juneau, Louisville |
67-74-74--215 |
|
-1 |
| 4. Krystle Caithness, Georgia |
70-73-74--217 |
+ |
1 |
| 4. Cydney Clanton, Auburn |
70-75-72--217 |
+ |
1 |
| 4. z-Alexandra Phelps, UNM |
71-73-73--217 |
+ |
1 |
| 7. Tiffany Chudy, Florida |
72-75-71--218 |
+ |
2 |
| 7. Joy Kim, Virginia |
73-77-68--218 |
+ |
2 |
| 9. Carmen Perez, UNCW |
71-72-76--219 |
+ |
3 |
| 10. Corrine Carr, Furman |
69-76-75--220 |
+ |
4 |
| 10. Garrett Phillips, Georgia |
77-74-69--220 |
+ |
4 |
| 10. Julia Potter, Missouri |
73-75-72--220 |
+ |
4 |
| 10. Jessica Yadloczky, Florida |
73-72-75--220 |
+ |
4 |
| 14. Candace Schepperle, Auburn |
74-76-71--221 |
+ |
5 |
| 15. Ornella Jouven, Florida |
72-73-77--222 |
+ |
6 |
| 15. Marci Turner, Tennessee |
73-75-74--222 |
+ |
6 |
| 17. y-Emma de Groot, Chattanooga |
73-76-74--223 |
+ |
7 |
| 17. Anna Scott, Ga. St. |
75-75-73--223 |
+ |
7 |
| 17. Hannah Yun, Florida |
73-75-75--223 |
+ |
7 |
| 20. y-Dori Carter, Mississippi |
77-75-72--224 |
+ |
8 |
| 20. Cindy LaCrosse, Louisville |
72-79-73--224 |
+ |
8 |
| 20. Jennifer Pandolfi, Duke |
72-83-69--224 |
+ |
8 |
| 20. Natalie Sheary, Wake Forest |
72-80-72--224 |
+ |
8 |
| 24. Blair Lamb, Furman |
76-74-75--225 |
+ |
9 |
| 24. Camila Mori, S. Carolina |
74-76-75--225 |
+ |
9 |
| 24. Whitney Neuhauser, Virginia |
72-79-74--225 |
+ |
9 |
| 27. Nannette Hill, Wake Forest |
74-76-76--226 |
+ |
10 |
| 27. Mercedes Huarte, JSU |
76-75-75--226 |
+ |
10 |
| 27. Calle Nielson, Virginia |
74-78-74--226 |
+ |
10 |
| 27. Mayule Tomimbang, UCF |
77-79-70--226 |
+ |
10 |
| 27. Iliska Verwey, Ga. St. |
74-75-77--226 |
+ |
10 |
| 32. Jean Chua, Wake Forest |
76-77-74--227 |
+ |
11 |
| 32. Laura Crawford, Wake Forest |
76-77-74--227 |
+ |
11 |
| 32. Jaclyn Hilea, Furman |
72-79-76--227 |
+ |
11 |
| 32. Liebelei Lawrence, Vanderbilt |
78-73-76--227 |
+ |
11 |
| 36. Britney Choy, UNM |
76-78-74--228 |
+ |
12 |
| 36. Kimberly Donovan, Duke |
70-78-80--228 |
+ |
12 |
| 36. Jodi Ewart, UNM |
76-77-75--228 |
+ |
12 |
| 36. Brooke Goodwin, Vanderbilt |
77-77-74--228 |
+ |
12 |
| 36. Stefanie Kenoyer, Furman |
75-78-75--228 |
+ |
12 |
| 36. Amber Littman, ECU |
80-71-77--228 |
+ |
12 |
| 36. Margaret Shirley, Auburn |
75-78-75--228 |
+ |
12 |
| 43. Abby Bools, ECU |
76-78-75--229 |
+ |
13 |
| 43. Megan Grehan, Vanderbilt |
77-79-73--229 |
+ |
13 |
| 43. Mallory Hetzel, Georgia |
75-81-73--229 |
+ |
13 |
| 43. y-Paula Hurtado, Fla. Intl. |
76-76-77--229 |
+ |
13 |
| 43. Alison Whitaker, Duke |
75-77-77--229 |
+ |
13 |
| 48. Morgan Grantham, UNM |
81-75-74--230 |
+ |
14 |
| 48. Lene Krog, Virginia |
78-76-76--230 |
+ |
14 |
| 48. Jennie Lee, Duke |
79-75-76--230 |
+ |
14 |
| 48. Amber Lundskog, Vanderbilt |
76-76-78--230 |
+ |
14 |
| 48. Ashley Tait, UNCW |
78-78-74--230 |
+ |
14 |
| 48. Innapha Tantanavivat, Georgia |
77-79-74--230 |
+ |
14 |
| 48. Bly Worley, S. Carolina |
75-78-77--230 |
+ |
14 |
| 55. Carolina Andrade, Georgia |
77-74-80--231 |
+ |
15 |
| 55. Emelie Lind, ECU |
76-74-81--231 |
+ |
15 |
| 55. Mariana Macias, Auburn |
77-76-78--231 |
+ |
15 |
| 55. Laura Nochta, Indiana |
81-74-76--231 |
+ |
15 |
| 55. Nicole Smith, Tennessee |
82-78-71--231 |
+ |
15 |
| 55. Sarah Thead, Auburn |
77-75-79--231 |
+ |
15 |
| 61. Jennie Arseneault, Virginia |
77-80-76--233 |
+ |
17 |
| 61. Diana Cantu, Tennessee |
74-80-79--233 |
+ |
17 |
| 61. Anita Gahir, Indiana |
76-80-77--233 |
+ |
17 |
| 61. Michelle Morgan, Missouri |
76-83-74--233 |
+ |
17 |
| 65. Lindsey Haupt, Missouri |
78-80-76--234 |
+ |
18 |
| 65. Whitney Simons, S. Carolina |
78-79-77--234 |
+ |
18 |
| 65. Jessy Tang, UCF |
74-79-81--234 |
+ |
18 |
| 68. Laura Anderson, Louisville |
76-79-80--235 |
+ |
19 |
| 68. Taylor Barrett, S. Carolina |
74-80-81--235 |
+ |
19 |
| 68. Allie Bodemann, Wake Forest |
80-75-80--235 |
+ |
19 |
| 68. O. Jordan-Higgins, Charles. So. |
75-81-79--235 |
+ |
19 |
| 68. Stephanie Noser, UNCW |
79-77-79--235 |
+ |
19 |
| 68. Ana Maria Puche, ECU |
82-78-75--235 |
+ |
19 |
| 68. Katrin Rumpf, Charles. So. |
78-75-82--235 |
+ |
19 |
| 68. Nicole Schachner, Florida |
82-76-77--235 |
+ |
19 |
| 76. Mikaela Backstedt, UNM |
82-76-78--236 |
+ |
20 |
| 76. Elaine Harris, Indiana |
77-78-81--236 |
+ |
20 |
| 78. Leigh Crosby, UCF |
81-77-79--237 |
+ |
21 |
| 78. Madison Jeter, Charles. So. |
76-80-81--237 |
+ |
21 |
| 80. Madde Augustsson, Missouri |
78-82-78--238 |
+ |
22 |
| 80. Kellye Belcher, Indiana |
79-81-78--238 |
+ |
22 |
| 80. Lauren Harling, Indiana |
77-81-80--238 |
+ |
22 |
| 80. Amanda Henry, Louisville |
78-83-77--238 |
+ |
22 |
| 84. Stephanie Connelly, UCF |
80-82-77--239 |
+ |
23 |
| 85. Shasta Averyhardt, Jackson St. |
83-77-80--240 |
+ |
24 |
| 85. Laura Cutler, JSU |
86-79-75--240 |
+ |
24 |
| 85. Colleen Estes, ECU |
85-74-81--240 |
+ |
24 |
| 85. Cathrine Madsen, Ga. St. |
81-79-80--240 |
+ |
24 |
| 85. Claire Starkie, Ga. St. |
83-77-80--240 |
+ |
24 |
| 90. Sandra Maier, Ga. St. |
78-81-82--241 |
+ |
25 |
| 91. Katie Detlefsen, UCF |
82-76-84--242 |
+ |
26 |
| 91. Emily Klein, UNCW |
85-75-82--242 |
+ |
26 |
| 91. Liana Viljoen, UNCW |
84-79-79--242 |
+ |
26 |
| 94. Ashley Cox, JSU |
83-81-79--243 |
+ |
27 |
| 94. Rhiannon Loebs, Charles. So. |
80-79-84--243 |
+ |
27 |
| 96. Jenny Calkins, Louisville |
78-84-83--245 |
+ |
29 |
| 96. Chelsea Schriewer, Missouri |
81-83-81--245 |
+ |
29 |
| 98. Portia Abbott, JSU |
82-80-84--246 |
+ |
30 |
| 98. Jacqui Concolino, Vanderbilt |
82-81-83--246 |
+ |
30 |
| 98. Rebecca Watson, Tennessee |
85-78-83--246 |
+ |
30 |
| 101. Jennifer Sells, Jackson St. |
85-83-79--247 |
+ |
31 |
| 102. Ginny Brown, Tennessee |
82-81-87--250 |
+ |
34 |
| 102. Mirielle LaBlanc, Jackson St. |
83-85-82--250 |
+ |
34 |
| 104. Ashley Baker, Furman |
80-87-87--254 |
+ |
38 |
| 105. Alexandra Espinosa, JSU |
86-89-85--260 |
+ |
44 |
| 106. Nikeya Peay, Jackson St. |
94-91-84--269 |
+ |
53 |
| 106. Lauren Ragland, Jackson St. |
87-88-94--269 |
+ |
53 |
| 108. Kinsey Green, Charles. So. |
121-129-120--370 |
+ |
154 |
Posted: 5/10/2008
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