April 30, 2007

LAKELAND, Fla. - The six team field at the 54-hole NCAA II Women's South Regional Championships has completed the first round of play at The Club at Eaglebrook in Lakeland, Fla. Fourth ranked West Florida is tied for second place with defending south regional and four-time national champion Rollins, who is ranked second in the country. They are six shots behind top ranked and tournament host Florida Southern. All six teams competing in the south regional are ranked nationally in the top seven.

West Florida and Rollins has a 304 through 18 holes. Florida Southern shot a 298. Third ranked Lynn is fourth with a 314. Seventh ranked Barry has a 315, and fifth ranked Nova Southeastern shot a 317.

Sarah Nicholson (Cedar Falls, Iowa / Cedar Falls HS) led UWF with a 75, +3 and is tied for seventh. Vicky Jackson (Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. / Ft. Walton Beach HS) and Natalia Espinosa (Bogota, Colombia) are tied for 12th with a 76, +4. Clara Fornella (Montevideo, Uruguay) is tied for 17th with a 77, +5. Rachel Christ (Charlotte, N.C. / Robinson HS) shot an 88, +16 and is tied for 32nd. Maria Garcia Austt of Nova Southeastern is in first place with a 71, -1.

The top two teams and top two individuals not on one of the advancing teams will qualify for the NCAA II Women's National Championships on May 9-12 at Stonebrook Golf Club in Pace, Fla.

The second round will begin tomorrow at 7 a.m. central time. The third and final round tees off on Thursday at the same time. Follow the tournament using Golfstat's live scoring system linked on the women's golf page at goargos.com.