Sports > February 28, 2008

By Hailey Robbins | Staff writer

The No. 13 ranked women’s golf team finished one under par and third overall after the three day Lady Gator Invitational in Gainesville, Fla., Feb. 22-24. The combined team scores of 910 marks the third lowest score in the history of the women’s golf program.

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Freshman Allie Bodemann follows through at the Northrup Grumman Invitational. Bodemann placed 21st at the Lady Gator Invite. (Photo courtesy of Media Relations)

Their final day score of one under par at 279 was the second lowest team score for any single day in program history.

Three Lady Deacs recorded record low scores for their career and season.The women’s golf team ended the first day of the invitational in sixth place. Freshman Natalie Sheary, the Deacons’ top ranked golfer for the last five tournaments, concluded the first day tied for 11th place individually. At the end of the day Florida held a 10-stroke lead over second place Louisville.

After the first round, freshman Allie Bodemann and junior Nannette Hill remained evenly tied for 21st place, with five-over-par 75s. Senior Jordan Craig, playing solely as an individual, finished the first day tied for 27th place.

Although predicted thunderstorms laid ominous threats throughout the second day, the Deacons were able to slice six strokes off their score and move into forth place overall, only 11 strokes off third place.

Junior Jean Chua shaved seven strokes off her first round score. Sheary and Hill led the Deacs with two birdies each, finishing the round with three-over-par 73s. Sheary, coming off an individual win in her last tournament, concluded the three day invitational with an all time low score of 69, which tied her for forth place overall. Her three-day total of 214 marks a season low and for the second consecutive time she placed in the top five for individuals. Bodemann tied her personal best with a score of 72, tying her for 16th place and marking her second top twenty career finish.

“The entire team performed; we all finished in the top 40, but we definitely could have placed higher had we converted more birdies,” Chua said. “To shoot our second lowest score as a team on such a tough course is a great boost of confidence for our next tournaments.”

Chua also recorded an all time low with a score of 68, the lowest score of anyone in the Gator Invitational. Her score of 68 allowed her to rise over 30 spots in ranking from the second to last day, from 69th to a tie for 31st.

“I had extraordinarily rough rounds the first two days. I was not hitting the ball well and lost my confidence putting,” Chua said. “Both coaches and I discussed how to move past my mental blocks and not press myself too hard. That third day, something just clicked, and I had one of my best rounds ever and the lowest score of my career.”

The entire team finished in the top 40. Senior Laura Crawford jumped significantly in ranking, ending 31st after the final round with a three-over-par final score. Hill finished in a tie for ninth place, rising 14 places.

The Lady Deacs shot their lowest score on one individual round since their last overall title win in the fall season.

The team looks to continue their low scoring and high-rankings with their next tournament, March 14-16 in Baton Rouge, La.