Back-to-Back! Midway repeats as RSC Women's Golf Conference Champions
Back-to-Back! Midway repeats as RSC Women's Golf Conference Champions
LEADERBOARD
UNION, Ky. -- Midway University made it back-to-back championships by capturing the River States Conference Women's Golf Tournament title with the final round played Tuesday at Lassing Pointe Golf Course in Union, Ky.
The Eagles led after all three rounds of the 54-hole tournament, which had 27 holes played on Monday and Tuesday. Midway had a very strong final 36 holes to pull away from the other seven teams and notch its second conference championship in a row.
Midway automatically qualifies for the NAIA Women's Golf National Championship to be held May 23-26 at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Midway is going back to NAIAs for the second straight year.
The Eagles also claimed medalist honors with Kathryn Lawler, a junior from Georgetown, Ky., winning the individual conference championship by six shots. She shot an impressive 74 in the final round to win.
Midway shot 347 in the first round to lead Asbury University by three shots and IU East by eight shots. Then the Eagles turned it on to shoot 323 and 328 over the final 36 holes to pull way out in front. The Eagles won by 43 shots.
Asbury shot its best round of 340 in the final round to lock up second place and finish runner-up in the conference. IU East finish third, and the Red Wolves had their best performance in round two with a 347 before falling back in the final round. IU Kokomo and Brescia placed fourth and fifth, respectively, followed by Point Park, Carlow and Ohio Christian.
In addition to being the medalist, Midway's Lawler was also named the RSC Women's Golfer of the Year for the best performance across the fall preview and the spring championship. She shot 87-79-74 this week as one of only two players with two rounds in the 70s. Teammate Amanda Cox was the other player to do so, and she shot 79-77 over the final 36 holes to finish tied for third.
Midway had four of the top six individual players in its victory with Chelsea Schack and Hannah Scroggins tying for sixth place. Scroggins, a freshman, was named RSC Women's Golf Newcomer of the Year as the top finisher who was a freshman or transfer. Midway coach Otis Smith was named RSC Women's Golf Coach of the Year.
IU East's Bre Nowak placed second individually. She shot 84-80-82 to stay in contention to the end and finish six shots back of Lawler. Asbury's Hannah Griffith led after 36 holes with opening rounds of 82-81 and shot 85 in the final round to tie for third. Teammate Julie Spaulding was fifth with an 83 in the final 18 holes.
For the complete team and individual leaderboard, click the link above. Final results and live scoring throughout the tournament provided by GolfStat, the official golf scoring provider of the River States Conference and the NAIA.
After the completion of the tournament, the All-River States Conference Women's Golf First and Second Teams were announced with combined scores from the fall and spring tournaments determining the awardees. Individual Awards for RSC Women's Golfer, Newcomer and Coach of the Year were also handed out.
Also named as the River States Conference Women's Golf Champions of Character Team with only player from each school chosen who best exhibits the five, core character values of the NAIA's Champions of Character program of respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.
2017 RIVER STATES CONFERENCE WOMEN'S GOLF TEAMS & AWARDS
RSC Women's Golfer of the Year: Kathryn Lawler (Jr.), Midway
RSC Women's Golf Medalist: Kathryn Lawler (Jr.), Midway
RSC Women's Golf Newcomer of the Year: Hannah Scroggins (Fr.), Midway
RSC Women's Golf Coach of the Year: Otis Smith, Midway
2017 ALL-RIVER STATES CONFERENCE WOMEN'S GOLF FIRST TEAM
Kathryn Lawler – Midway
Bre Nowak – IU East
Hannah Scroggins – Midway
Julie Spaulding – Asbury
Lexie Fields – IU East
2017 ALL-RIVER STATES CONFERENCE WOMEN'S GOLF SECOND TEAM
Chelsea Schack - Midway
Rylee Beard - Midway
Madison Farr - Asbury
Nicole Burks – Brescia
Natalie Abt – Carlow
2017 RIVER STATES CONFERENCE WOMEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER TEAM
Julie Spaulding – Asbury
Brookelyn Hatabaugh – Brescia
Samantha Stefanick – Carlow
Bre Nowak – IU East
Bailey Troutman – IU Kokomo
Kelsey Whitehouse – Midway
Jessie Dodson – Ohio Christian
Lindsey Swanson – Point Park