The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
NCAA West Regional Championship
Women's Golf advances to NCAA Championship with a tie for fourth place at West Regional
05.09.2009 | Women's Golf
May 9, 2009
TEMPE, Ariz. -- The No. 17-seed University of Texas Women's Golf team (288-290-295=873, +9) became the highest seed at the NCAA West Regional Championship to advance to the NCAA Championship after securing a tie for fourth place with a 7-over 295 in Saturday's final round. The Longhorns' bid to the NCAA Championship marks their second-straight under second-year head coach Martha Richards.
The top-eight team finishers and top-two individuals not playing on the eight qualifying teams earned bids to compete at the 2009 NCAA Women's Golf Championship from May 19-22 at the Caves Valley Golf Club in Owing Mills, Md., hosted by Georgetown.
Senior Kristin Walla (70-72-73=215, -1) led or co-led UT in each round and recorded a career-best tie for ninth place at 1-under 215. The Aspen, Colo., native carded seven birdies and six bogeys throughout the 54-hole affair en route to her best performance as a Longhorn. Walla was previously Texas' top individual at the Central District Invitational (Feb. 16-17, 2009).
Playing in Texas' No. 2 position on Saturday, senior Kelley Louth (72-72-73=217, +1) closed her round with a four-foot birdie putt on the ninth hole of the ASU Karsten Golf Course to finish the day at 1-over 73 and 217 (+1) overall, good for a tie for 18th place.
Junior Shannon Fish (72-74-74=220, +4) finished three strokes behind Louth to tie for 27th place, while freshman Nicole Vandermade (74-72-75=221, +5) finished at 5-over 221 and tied for 32nd in her first NCAA postseason tournament. Senior Caney Hines (77-82-81=240, +24) rounded out the Longhorns in a tie for 98th at 24-over.
Top-seeded Arizona State (273-283-286=842, -22) claimed a wire-to-wire victory on its home course at 22-under 842. Southern California (289-283-289=861, -3) finished in second place at 3-under, while LSU (295-288-285=868, +4) took third place.
POST-ROUND QUOTES
Head Coach Martha Richards
On advancing to the NCAA Championship: I've said all along that we're the best No. 17 seed that's ever been in the tournament. That's not to say that the seeding was unfair, by any means, but we've been more talented than we've shown all year and it's fun to see this team step up and show it. We're excited to move on.
On the play of senior Kristin Walla: Kristin's best advantage has always been her attitude. She stays upbeat and optimistic when she's playing, and that has always been helpful to her. She played great this week. If she hit it into a little bit of trouble, she found ways to get it back into play, which was key. She stayed composed, mature, and played with some great energy.
On preparing for the NCAA Championship: We've got a big academic week with finals, and everyone will be working hard to finish those up before we leave next Saturday. Practice will be all over the map, with a lot of individual practices due to various academic schedules. They're excited, we're excited, and we'll find a way to combine practices and academics and make sure everyone is ready to play in Maryland.
Top Eight Teams Advancing to NCAA Championship
1. Arizona State (273-283-286=842, -22)
2. Southern California (289-283-289=861, -3)
3. LSU (295-288-285=868, +4)
T4. TCU (289-293-291=873, +9)
T4. UC Irvine (289-284-300=873, +9)
T4. TEXAS (288-290-295=873, +9)
7. Arizona (288-300-288=876, +12)
8. Pepperdine (294-300-285=879, +15)
