March 15, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The West Florida Women's Golf team completed the three day Gainesville Shootout on the Mark Bostick Golf Course, in a tie with the University of Iowa and Southern Mississippi for Ninth place. The Argos were in 6th place following round one, then slipped to ninth place, and held the position in the final round. The University of Illinois came from behind in the third round to overtake the University of Michigan for the team title.

The Argos Bhavna Shetty turned in the best round for UWF on Saturday with a 77, to add to her 76 and 80, for a tournament total of 233, which tied her for 24th best. Natalia Espinosa was just one stroke behind Shetty on Saturday, which gave her a three round total of 235, which put her in 30th place overall.

Meanwhile, Alex Rankin of Wofford College held on for the individual title with a three day total of 217 (seven over par), while Ashley Olynick had the top third round score of 69 (one under par) to move up to second place overall with a total of 220. Michigan's Raquel Hopton was third with a total of 221.

Eighty seven golfers started the tournament, which was played on a 5,907 yard par 70 course, that yielded only two individual rounds under par, with Olynick in round three, and Rankin in round two. The top round for the Argos was turned in by Natalia Espinosa in round one with a 75. Meanwhile, Rachel Christ tied for 48th best with a total score of 244, and Tara Steakin finished with a 84-76-86 for a total of 246, which tied for 53rd best. Meaghan Gulliksen turned in rounds of 80-86-82 for 57th best score of 248.

The tournament was predominately comprised of Division I schools, and the Argos competed admirably. The tournament should be a great tune up for next week's tournament at Nova Southeasthern, which will include several top Division II opponents, and a few regional rivals for the Argos.

Final Results:

Fin. School Scores

1 Illinois, U. of 309 306 301 916 +76

2 Texas State Univ. 301 313 304 918 +78

3 Michigan, U. of 309 302 309 920 +80

4 Illinois State Univ. 308 309 307 924 +84

5 Texas A&M-CC 308 315 310 933 +93

6 Louisiana-Monroe 313 314 308 935 +95

7 Wofford College 316 306 319 941 +101

8 Nevada, U. of 314 323 306 943 +103

9 Iowa, U. of 321 310 319 950 +110

West Florida, U of 311 322 317 950 +110

Southern Mississippi 322 315 313 950 +110

12 Troy University 326 318 314 958 +118

13 Appalachian State U. 320 323 321 964 +124

14 Texas-Pan American 315 329 330 974 +134

15 U. of Albany 350 342 339 1031 +191

T 9 West Florida, U of 311 322 317 950

T 24 Bhavna Shetty 76 80 77 233

30 Natalia Espinosa 75 82 78 235

T 48 Rachel Christ 80 84 80 244

T 53 Tara Steakin 84 76 86 246

57 Meaghan Gulliksen 80 86 82 248