MUNCIE, Ind. ? The Indiana State women's golf team established a new school record for low 36-hole tournament score while finishing fifth in the Cardinal Classic, hosted by Ball State University. The two-day tournament started on Monday and was completed Tuesday at The Players Club in Muncie, Ind.
Sycamore juniors Breanne Smith and Kayley Bodine finished in the Top 20 of the individual competition with Smith tying for fourth with a two-round total of 148, just four shots off the winning score of 144 posted by Kristen Hill of the University of Akron. Bodine tied for eighth with a two-round total of 149, just five shots back.
“I am really happy with the way we played,” Mike Whitson, Indiana State women's golf coach said. “We put together two consistent rounds of play. The team played well this week from the top on down.”
The Sycamores broke the school record for a 36-hole round with their two day total of 613 at the Cardinal Classic. Indiana State had posted a 614 total on two occasions last year, the first at The Preview at the Brickyard (Sept. 10-11, 2007), the season opening tournament, and the second at the Saluki Invitational (March 30-31, 2008).
“Today's round could have been a little bit better but we had a few hiccups in the final few holes,” Whitson added. “Breanne (Smith) had another fine round and is playing exceptionally well right now.”
Ball State topped the 13-team field with a 594 to take home the team title. The University of Akron was second at 601 with Grand Valley State third at 607 and Northern Arizona fourth at 611.
Smith began the day tied for 10th out of the field of 74 players but fired an even par 72 on the 6,248 yard course to move up into a tie for fourth with a 148 total. The Sycamore junior was also one of just two players to card an eagle during the tournament, that coming on the par-5, 449 yard second hole.
Bodine, who finished the first round in a tie for fourth after posting a 74, shot a 75 in the second round to finish with a 149 total. The Sycamore was one of five players in the field to post six birdies in the tournament. As a team, Indiana State had 15 birdies over the two rounds of play.
Junior Kelsea Ice was tied for seventh after an opening round 75 and posted an 80 in the second round to finish tied for 21st with a 155 total.
Sophomore Diana Price, who opened with an 81 on Monday, shot another 81 on Tuesday to finish the two-day tournament with a 162 total, placing her in a tie for 49th in the field.
Junior Mackenzie Mack shock off the 87 she carded during the first round, posting her best 18-hole round of the fall campaign with an 80 in the second round 80 finish tied for 66th with a 167 total.
The other Sycamore in competition was junior Abby Butler who posted an 85 on Tuesday after an opening 86 on Monday. Butler, who played as an individual, finished tied for 68th in the tournament with a 171 total.
Kristin Hill of the University of Akron won medalist honors by topping California University of Pennsylvania's Simone DeSouza in a playoff. Both finished the two-day tournament with 144s.
Team Scores
1 Ball State 302-292 594
2 University of Akron 305-296 601
3 Grand Valley State 305-302 607
4 Northern Arizona 308-303 611
5 Indiana State 306-307 613
6 California University of Pennsylvania 312-302 614
7 Ohio University 312-314 626
8 Eastern Kentucky 317-310 627
9 Oakland University 326-307 633
Northern Illinois 319-314 633
11 Bowling Green State 319-317 636
12 IUPUI 321-316 637
13 Oakland University 326-333 649
Indiana State Scores
T4 Breanne Smith 76-72 148
T8 Kayley Bodine 74-75 149
T21 Kelsea Ice 75-80 155
T49 Diana Price 81-81 162
T66 Mackenzie Mack 87-80 167
T68 Abby Butler* 86-85 171
*Playing as individual
