The Gustavus women’s golf team capped off the 2012 NCAA Championships with its best round of the tournament, firing a 318 (+30) on the final day to finish in 11th place with a four-day team total of 1,286 (+134) strokes. This year’s NCAA Championships were held at the Zollner Golf Course in Angola, Ind.
“We had higher hopes but the gals gave it everything they had and I’m proud of them for that,” said Head Coach Scott Moe. “We got better as the week went on and that’s what you aim for.”
For the 15th consecutive season, Methodist University captured the NCAA Championship. This season, the Monarchs were able to edge DePauw University by just four strokes, finishing with a four-day team total of 1,242 (+22) after shooting a 310 (+22) on the final day. DePauw’s 314 (+26) on the last day was the difference, as the Tigers finished with a score of 1,248 (+96). UW-Eau Claire rounded out the top-three in third at 1,255 (+103) after shooting a 313 (+25) today.
After today’s final round, the Gustavus women’s golf program says goodbye to three seniors who have been instrumental in Gustavus’ success both at the conference and national level the last four years.
Commenting on seniors Ann Jackson (Fargo, N.D.), Taylor Drenttel (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.), and Rikka Holiday (Bozeman, Mont.), Coach Moe said, “This is a great group of seniors that will truly be missed. They are what Gustavus is all about; achieving high marks in the classroom, playing with integrity, working hard, and competing like crazy every time on the course. I could not have asked for more from these three.”
Seniors Ann Jackson, Taylor Drenttel, Rikka Holiday with coaches Randall Stuckey and Scott Moe
After shooting a 78 (+6) on the final day, Ann Jackson finished a team-best 24th overall with a team-low total of 314 (+26). Rikka Holiday and Sam Falk (Glenwood, Minn.) turned in the next best score of the day with 79’s (+7). Falk’s round today was 11 strokes better than her score of 90 (+18) yesterday. Holiday finished second on the team and 42nd overall with a 321 (+33), while Falk came in fourth on the team and 73rd overall with a 334 (+46).
Taylor Drenttel shot an 82 (+10) today to finish with a four-day total of 328 (+40), good for 59th overall. Kayleigh Dittes (Eden Prairie, Minn.) rounded out the team in 77th (336, +48) after shooting an 87 (+15).
Taking the individual crown at this season’s NCAA Tournament was Catherine Wagner of UW-Eau Claire. Wagner shot a 77 on the last day to finish the meet with a 302 (+14). Rounding out the podium was Emily Bachert of Centre College, Molly Erickson of St. Olaf College, and Sarah Paulson of Central College in a three-way tie for second place with a 303 (+15). Paulson shot the best round of the group on day three with a 73 (+1).
Sam certainly is inconsistent…Why under GolfStat isn’t Sam’s 70 (2 Under par), shown under Division III as the lowest round shot which she had at The Prairie Green tournament at Sioux Falls? Her Grandmother and I were sure proud of her.
Bob “Baba” O’Neill