March 25, 2008

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The West Florida Women's Golf team put together a strong final round to move ahead of Pfeiffer University and pull within five strokes of fifth place Lynn University. Meanwhile, Nova Southeastern, the host school, was a come from behind winner, as they surpassed top rated Florida Southern by two strokes after trailing by three. Barry University and Daytona Beach finished third and fourth. The Argos Bhavna Shetty finished tied for 13th best individually on the Cypress Golf Course in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

The Argos as a team, were very consistent in the final round with the top four scoring within 79 and 81 on the par 72 course that covered 6, 090 yards. Natalia Espinosa and Tara Steakin each turned in 79's for the final round, as Espinosa tied for 24th overall with a total of 159. Steakin finished 33rd, with her total score of 161. Meaghan Gulliksen carded a score of 80 in the final round to finish at 166, which was good for a tie at 36th place. Rachel Christ finished the tournament with a score of 177, which was good for 49th best in the tournament of 62 participants.

In the individual play, Isadora Stapff was the overall winner, by virtue of winning a playoff with Marianne Andersson of Florida Southern College. The two each carded a 149 during regulation. Nova Southeastern's Taylor Collins and Florida Southern's Johanna Soderstrom were tied for third place, just one stroke back. The Argos Bhavna Shetty was just seven strokes back in the tightly contested individual scoring.

The tournament involved several of the top ranked teams in Division II and the solid showing by the Argos gives premise to a potential shot at a third straight Gulf South Conference Championship. West Florida has one more tournament to tune up for the GSC championships. The Argos travel next to Hattiesburg, Miss., to participate in the USM Lady Eagle Classic at the Cranebrake Golf Course on April 7th and 8th. Then, the GSC tournament is in Hot Springs, Arkansas on April 18th thru the 20th.