Golf in Second Through 18 Holes at DII National Championship
Eureka, Mo. - The University of Findlay women's golf team began its' defense of the ultimate prize on Tuesday, May 16 with the first round of the 2023 NCAA Division II National Championship which is being held at Fox Run Golf Club in Eureka, Missouri, just outside of St. Louis. Through one round, the Oilers, who enter the tournament ranked third in the country according to the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA), sit in a tie for second after posting a 292 (+4).
The Oilers are tied with Anderson (SC), eight shots behind Nova Southeastern who shot an impressive 284 (-4) over the first 18 holes. Dallas Baptist, Cal State East Bay, Lynn, Indianapolis, and West Texas A&M round out the teams in the top eight. After 54 holes, the top eight teams will make the medal match play portion of the event, earning a shot at the national title.
Following a weather delay, the Oilers were the first to tee off, getting on the course around 10:00 am local time. The setup features a par 72 course that measures 6,187 yards.
Through 18 holes, senior Jill Schmitmeyer and junior Gabby Woods are tied for fourth on the individual leaderboard and led the way for the Oilers with rounds of 70 (-2). Schmitmeyer birdied her first two holes of the day and was one of just seven players in the field to make at least five birdies, including a birdie on the 18th hole to get to two-under.
Woods made a splash early on, making eagle on the par-five fifth hole, leading to a front-nine score of 34 (-2). A pair of birdies on the back countered a pair of bogeys, leading the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) and East Regional Medalist to an impressive opening-round 70.
Getting her first taste of competition on the national level is freshman Hayley Dye. The youngster went out in 37 and came home in 38 for a score of 75 (+3), putting her in a tie for 34th in the event.
Sophomore Erin Mulcahy, who played the role of the hero in last year's national championship, struggled early on, making bogey on five of her first six holes. However, she battled back, shooting even-par over her final 12 holes to post a 77 (+5), putting her in a tie for 56th.
Rounding out the lineup is sophomore Mary Kelly Mulcahy, this year's G-MAC Player of the Year. M. Mulcahy had a one-hole blunder, a triple bogey on the par-four 12th, that hurt her round. Outside of that hole, her play was solid as she would end up shooting 78 (+6) which puts her in a tie of 66th.