CLE ELUM, Wash. — A fast start on the front nine holes helped Arkansas women’s golf team advance to the NCAA Championship at Blessings Golf Club next week.
Arkansas opened the day in fourth place but nine birdies in the opening holes gave the Razorbacks a cushion heading into the final stretch at Tumble Creek Club.
They battled through some tough holes after the turn to remain in fourth place and move on.
The finish moves Arkansas out of the 2019 NCAA Washington Regional sending the Razorbacks home where they host the NCAA Championship next week.
Individually, senior Maria Fassi paced the team with a tied for fifth finish that included rounds of 69-72-69—210 (-6). Senior Kaylee Benton finished tied for 17th, shooting 70-75-73—218 followed by freshman Brooke Matthews who was tied for 22nd, shooting 75-74-70—219.
Freshman Ximena Gonzalez was steady throughout the event and finished tied for 40th with 73-75-74—222 followed by senior Dylan Kim who was tied for 82nd, shooting 80-82-75—237.
The Razorbacks finished the day shooting 286 for a 5-over 287-296-286—869.
The Lineup
| T5 | Maria Fassi (1) | 69-72-69=210 |
| T17 | Kaylee Benton (2) | 70-75-73=218 |
| T22 | Brooke Matthews (4) | 75-74-70=219 |
| T40 | Ximena Gonzalez (5) | 73-75-74=222 |
| T82 | Dylan Kim (3) | 80-82-75=237 |
Arkansas At The NCAA Championship
Number of Team Appearances: 9 (2018, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2011,2008, 2006, 2005)
Individual at NCAA Championship: 2
2007 Stacy Lewis
2017 Cara Gorlei
NCAA Championships: 1 (Stacy Lewis, 2007)
Best Team Finish: T5 2011
Best Individual Finish: 1st Stacy Lewis, 2007
2nd Kelli Shean, 2011
T2nd Gabriela Lopez, 2015
The six teams from the 2019 Washington NCAA Regional who are moving on include: No. 1 Southern California, No. 19 Washington, No. 16 Northwestern, No. 8 Arkansas, No. 29 San Jose State and No. 49 UCF.
NCAA Golf Championships
Arkansas and Blessings Golf Club are the proud hosts of the 2019 NCAA Women’s and Men’s National Championships.
Admission and parking for the entire two weeks has been underwritten courtesy of Tyson Foods and the Tyson Family Foundation.
The women’s event begins May 17 and is immediately followed by the men’s championship beginning May 24.
For more information or to volunteer for the event, log on to www.NCAAGolf19.com.
A Good Front 9
Arkansas had a total of six birdies on the front nine in the first two rounds of competition. On Wednesday, the Razorbacks turned with nine birdies giving themselves a cushion before heading to the very scoreable back nine.
