Women's Golf Rallies to Claim Title at UC Invite

Women's Golf 3/28/2009 12:00:00 AM

March 28, 2009

CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. - Down eight strokes heading into the final round of play Saturday, the Baylor women's golf team mounted a furious comeback, carding a final round 302 to win the University of Cincinnati Spring Invitational.

The Lady Bears ended the tournament with a three-round score of 918 (307-309-302), edging out University of South Florida for the team title. It's the Lady Bears first tournament win of the season and first since 2006 when they won the Central District Invitational. Baylor had four individuals finish among the top 10 overall, including three among the top five.

"The team started the day facing a pretty strong wind, but they looked like they were determined to not let this tournament slip away," said head coach Sylvia Ferdon. "Maybe our loss at home was a motivator to come out firing."

Jordan Rhodes, competiting as an individual medalist for Baylor, continued her strong showing on the par-72, 6,002 yard course in Crystal River, Fla. Rhodes, a sophomore from San Antonio, Texas, tallied her best finish of her collegiate career, placing second overall with a 54-hole total of 225 (75-75-75). The 225 also marks Rhodes' best three-round score in her young career at Baylor.

Hannah Burke secured her seventh career top five finish with a third round 76 to finish the tournament at 227 (77-74-76) and tied for third individually. After posting a 6-over, 78 during the Friday's second round of play, sophomore Lene Hafsten-Morch responded with a team-low round of 73 during the final 18 holes of play at Plantation Golf Resort. Hafsten-Morch finished in sole possession of fifth place overall with a 228 (77-78-73).

Freshman Jaclyn Jansen was another underclassman that performed well for the Lady Bears. Jansen checked into the clubhouse at 2-over for the final round of play on Friday. Jansen finished in a five-way tie for sixth place.

Rounding out play for the Lady Bears was freshman Chelsey Cothran and senior Natalie Hocott. Cothran tied for 16th place with a tournament score of 234 (75-80-79), while Hocott place 37th overall after an 81 during Friday's final round, put her at 242 for the tournament.

"Everyone in the line-up contributed in getting the win and that is what college golf is all about," Ferdon said.

The Lady Bears will be back in action April 5-6, as they travel to Norman, Okla., to compete in the Susie Maxwell-Berning Golf Classic.

BAYLOR INDIVIDUALS
2) Jordan Rhodes - 150 (75-75) (*INDIVIDUAL*)
T3) Hannah Burke - 227 (77-74-76)
5) Lene Hafsten-Morch - 228 (77-78-73)
T6) Jaclyn Jansen - 230 (78-78-74)
T16) Chelsey Cothran - 234 (78-80-79)
T37) Natalie Hocott - 242 (82-79-81)

TEAM LEADERBOARD
1) Baylor - 918 (307-309-302)
2) South Florida - 921 (308-307-306)
3) Stetson - 926 (307-310-309)
4) Cincinnati - 937 (300-308-329)
5) Florida Atlantic - 942 (308-311-323)
6) Houston Baptist - 959 (307-323)
7) Embry-Riddle - 961 (325-316-320)
8) Youngstown State - 962 (317-321-324)
9) Florida Gulf Coast - 964 (313-319-332)
10) Marshall - 966 (315-312-339)
11) Jacksonville Univ. - 972 (317-324-331)
12) Cincinnati (B) - 973 (328-315-330)
13) UAB - 979 (333-318-328)
14) Rutgers - 982 (329-322-331)
15) Ohio Univ. - 985 (327-326-332)
16) Eckerd - 1016 (335-334-347)
17) Dartmouth - 1020 (339-339-342)