YORKTOWN, Ind. – Eastern Kentucky University’s women’s golf team broke a program record and tied another on its way to a first place finish at the Cardinal Classic, hosted by Ball State on Monday and Tuesday.
EKU’s 54-hole total of 867 was 35 shots better than the previous program record of 902 set at the 2015 Ohio Valley Conference Championship. The Colonels’ second round score of 284 on Monday tied for the best single round, matching the record set at the Great Smokies Intercollegiate in September 2011.
“Yesterday was truly a great performance by our team,” Head Coach Mike Whitson said. “They just went out and played well. I told them last night, I’ve never seen a team play with such confidence as they did yesterday.”
Eastern began play on Monday with a first round score of 288, which itself tied for the second best round in team history. The Colonels shaved four shots off of that for a second round 284 and had a 22-shot lead over second place Eastern Michigan.
A final round 295 on Tuesday was good enough to set a new 54-hole record and finish first by 13 shots over Eastern Michigan (880).
“Today, we went out and took care of business by playing another good round,” said Whitson. “This was a phenomenal week and a good win for us, over a good field, at a good time of the year for us. I hope this win jump starts us to even bigger and better things the rest of the fall and on into the spring.”
The victory was the 10th first place finish for the Colonels under Whitson. That number includes two OVC Championships in the last three years.
“It was a good day for EKU golf and I’m looking forward to the rest of the fall,” Whitson said.
Freshman Amanda Lindahl led Eastern Kentucky and finished second overall. After rounds of 76 and 70 on Monday, Lindahl fired a 3-under 69 on Tuesday to finish with a 1-under total of 215. Her round of 69 tied three others for the second lowest single round score in program history. She finished four shots behind Eastern Michigan’s Kelsey Murphy (211).
“Amanda played very well,” said Whitson. “She had a tremendous round today. I’m real pleased with the way she’s starting her college career. Hopefully this will also propel her into much bigger and better things in the very near future.”
Anna Gleixner finished third. The senior cut four shots off her first round score of 74 for a 2-under 70 in round two. A final round 73 gave Gleixner a three-round total of 217 (+1). Becky Sharpe (218) shot rounds of 70, 72 and 76 to finish in a tie for fourth. Sofie Levin (219) made it four Colonels in the top-10 by finishing tied for sixth. She shot rounds of 70, 72 and 77.
The two-day, 16-team Cardinal Classic was contested at The Players Club, a par 72, 6,204-yard course.
Northern Illinois (888) placed third, Bowling Green (903) was fourth and Xavier (905) rounded out the top-5. The field included seven Mid-American Conference (MAC) teams.
The fall season continues for Eastern Kentucky Oct. 5-6 at the Bearcat Invitational.
1. Eastern Kentucky 288-284-295 – 867
2. Amanda Lindahl 76-70-69 – 215
3. Anna Gleixner 74-70-73 – 217
T4. Becky Sharpe 70-72-76 – 218
T6. Sofie Levin 70-72-77 – 219
T38. Rachel Welker 74-80-79 – 233
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