EDMOND, Okla. – Oklahoma City University held third place through 18 holes of the Sooner Athletic Conference women's golf championships Monday at River Oaks Golf Club.
The Stars, ranked second in the NAIA, shot 320 to be six strokes behind first-day leader Southern Nazarene and five shots behind second-place Lubbock Christian (Texas).
Conditions worsened as the day went on the par-71, 5,998-yard course. The temperature reached 65 degrees by midday, but in the afternoon it dropped 10 degrees. Skies were clear in the morning, but cloudy in the afternoon with 20 mph winds.
“It was a struggle out there,” OCU coach M.J. Desbiens said. “It played really tough out there. We managed ourselves poorly coming in down the stretch. Tomorrow our goal is to finish strong. We want to keep the high numbers to a minimum. I look forward to a good ending tomorrow.”
Laura Jones leads the Stars in their bid for their seventh consecutive SAC championship. Jones, a junior from Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, England, recorded a 37-40–77 to be tied for fourth place individually.
A day when the field had 16 birdies combined among the 41 players, Jones sank a birdie on the par-3, 144-yard second hole. She managed 10 pars and seven bogeys in her round.
“I'm very proud of Laura,” Desbiens said. “She has worked on her physical condition. She's worked out a lot and taken care of herself.
“She's that type of player. Laura can tee it up on any conditions and any day and shoot par. She had a couple of holes where she had big numbers. I'm proud of her hanging in there and finishing.”
Paige Martin shot a 39-41–80, making par on 10 holes for the Stars. She ran into trouble on the par-5, 503-yard 13th hole, taking a double bogey.
Taylor Howard put together a 37-44–81, compiling 10 pars for OCU. Tanya Tibshraeny contributed a 36-46–82, saving par 11 times.
Playing as an individual, Morgan Gay shot 41-38–79. Other OCU individuals were Madison Haley (40-44–84) and Alisha Jenkins (46-41–87).
Embry-Riddle (Fla.) took over the No. 1 spot in the NAIA women's golf rankings last week. OCU had been ranked No. 1 in 21 of the previous 22 rankings prior to last week's poll.
The conference title will be decided Tuesday starting with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.
Results
