Final Results
For the second straight year, the Augustana women's golf team mounted a final day comeback to advance to the NCAA Division II National Championships as the Vikings earned a third-place finish at the Super Regional Three Women's Golf Championships Wednesday at Westward Ho Country Club in Sioux Falls.
The Vikings, who came back from a 16-shot deficit on the final day of the 2008 regional tournament, entered the final round Wednesday down 2 shots to Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Vikings responded with their best round of the tournament, firing a 312 to overtake the Mavericks by 7 strokes. Augustana, competiting in its fourth-straight regional tournament, finished the 54-hole tournament with a team score of 965, while MSU finished fourth at 972. The top 3 teams and top 3 individuals not on qualifying teams advance to the national championships on May 13-16 in Findlay, Ohio.
Upper Iowa won the team title with a score of 930, while Concordia University, St. Paul was the runner-up at 947. Minnesota State's Leah Grozdanich and Jaymie Halverson, along with Kallie Stanhope of Montana State-Billings were the individuals advancing to the national tournament.
Unlike Tuesday when the Vikings shot a combined 21-over-par over the final 3 holes to surrender third place to Minnesota State, Augustana thrived on the final 3 holes on Wednesday. The Vikings were a combined +4 on the 16th, 17th and 18th holes on Wednesday put the pressure on MSU. The Mavericks did not respond as they were +7 as a team.
As a result, Augustana shaved 14 strokes off of Tuesday's team total.
Individually,
Kelly Lauer finished the tournament in a tie for fifth place after shooting an 81 Wednesday to finish with a 237.
Kate Tobin and
Kelli Lowry both shot 82 to tie for 18th with a 3-day total of 247.
Augustana received strong final rounds from
Laura Strautz and
Kaari Espeland. Espeland carded a 74 on Wednesday, while Strautz recorded a 75 to ignite the Viking charge. Strautz finished the tournament in 21st place at 248, while Espeland was 1 shot back in a tie for 22nd place at 249.
Upper Iowa's Rochelle Schmidt led the tournament from start to finish after posting a 75 Tuesday to finish the regional at 220.
Augustana Final Scores
T5.
Kelly Lauer - 79-77-81 = 237
T18.
Kelli Lowry- 79-86-82 = 247
T18.
Kate Tobin- 83-82-82 = 247
21.
Laura Strautz - 92-81-75 = 248
T22.
Kaari Espeland - 86-89-74 = 249
Final Team Results
