Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Finish Fourth in TX
3/4/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
HOUSTON, Texas - The Indiana University women's golf team didn't let Monday's showers at the Verizon "Mo"Morial rain on its parade, as the Hoosiers stormed to the front of the leaderbaord in Tuesday's final round.
IU finished fourth in the 19-team field, having started the day tied for 13th, seven strokes back. In what were clearly miserable conditions in Monday's first round, the Hoosiers created their own storm Tuesday, finishing with a 623 (324-299). Indiana's final round was the tournament's best and marked the only time a team broke 300 in this year's event.
For the Hoosiers individually, the day belonged to junior Danah Ford. The Indianapolis, Ind., native recorded a career high 2-under-par 70, which also marked the lowest single round of this year's tournament. Ford's 70 was also one stroke off the lowest 18-hole score and final round score in the tournament's nine-year history. Her previous career-best was an even-par 72 at the Lady Northern this past fall.
"I was so frustrated with the weather yesterday, I lost a little focus," Ford admits. "My putting wasn't all that well yesterday either, but even after a little hotel putting last night and a 3-putt on my first hole today, I just kept telling myself today that I would be fine. I kept asking myself 'How many birdies can you make today?'"
Answer? She made six.
Ford concluded her first round Tuesday with a 78, but steadied her game as she carded a 1-under-par 35 on the back nine, her first nine holes of the second round. Ford suffered a setback at the par-5 third, as she carded a double-bogey-7 to fall to 2-over-par for her round. But Ford finished strong, as she birdied No. 5, 7, and 8, to finish with her 70.
She also hit all 21 fairways of the 27 holes she played Tuesday. It is believed that Ford's 1.000 accuracy for fairways hit is a first in the 20-year history of the women's golf program.
All-America candidate Karen Dennison, began the tournament 3-over-par in her first eight holes Monday. After the Texas rains forced a suspension of play on Monday, Dennison would play her final 28 holes just 1-over-par. She would finish the event 4-over and in second place.
For the Madison, Ind., native, Dennison's finish at the "Mo"Morial marks the fifth time in six tournaments that she has placed in the top two positions. Last week, Dennison finished eighth at the Central District Invitational.
"For the majority of the two days, I wasn't really hitting the ball all that well," said Dennison. "I was forced to scramble around and make pars. I think my short game really started to click, and I knew it would only be a matter of time. It just takes a couple of rounds to get the rust off, and today my short game led to a good score."
Junior Ambry Bishop rebounded from an opening 84 to finish with a 162 (84-78). Senior Cara Stuckey finished tied for 74th with 166 (88-78) and freshman Molly Redfearn rounded out the Hoosier scoring with a 178 (92-86).
As a team, the Hoosiers finished four strokes behind Tulane's 619, and six behind second-place Arkansas. Baylor won the event with a 610 (310-300).
Indiana's 299 also set a Hoosier record for 18 holes at the "Mo"Morial, while Ford's 70 tied the school best in the event.
The Hoosiers will take two weeks off, including their Spring Break, and resume competition at the Lady Seahawk Invitational in Wilimington, N.C., March 24-25.
