Clemson Finishes 8th at NCAA Regional

Clemson, S.C.—Clemson’s women’s golf team finished eighth out of 18 teams at the NCAA Shoal Creek Regional, but freshman Lauren Stephenson qualified for the NCAA National Tournament as an individual during competition on Saturday at Shoal Creek Country Club near Birmingham, Ala.

The Tigers needed a top six finish as a team to advance to the NCAA National Tournament in Eugene, Ore on May 20.  J.T. Horton’s team finished with a 54-hole score of 929, 13 shots behind the 916 total of sixth-place Michigan.  Northwestern won the regional with an 887 score.

Clemson beat five schools ranked ahead of the No. 47 ranked Tigers entering the regional.  Those schools were Iowa State (17), Missouri (32), Purdue (36), Notre Dame (40) and Vanderbilt (41).

Stephenson shot a two-over-par 74 on Saturday to finish in a tie for fifth in the field of 96 players.  The native of Lexington, S.C. qualified as the second best player in the field on a team that did not qualify for the national tournament.  She will be the first Clemson player to participate in the NCAA National Tournament.

Stephenson had consistent rounds of  74-75-74 for a seven over par 223 score for the three days.  The key to her performance all weekend was her play on the par four holes.  She led the field in scoring on par four holes with a 4.10 average.  The native of Lexington, S.C. had an eagle three on the par five 11^th hole on Saturday and finished as the only player in the field with two eagles.

Alice Hewson was Clemson’s second best player on Saturday and second best player in the tournament.  The freshman who is headed for the Curtis Cup competition in June as a member of the GB&I team finished tied for 20th with a 13-over-par-score of 229 after her round of 77 on Saturday.

Team Standings

NCAA Shoal Creek Regional

Par 72, 6,470 Yards

(First six qualify for NCAA National Tournament)

1.  Northwestern 887, 2. Florida State 905, 3. Oklahoma State 907, 4. Alabama 908, 5.  Tennessee 912, 6. Michigan 916, 7.   California 924, 8. Clemson 929, 9. New Mexico State 931, 10. Vanderbilt 935, 11. Purdue 936, 12. Missouri 939, 13. Iowa State 944, and Notre Dame 944, 15. Middle Tennessee 945, 16. Eastern Kentucky 971, 17.  Oakland 991, 18. Alabama State 1006.

Clemson Individuals

5. Lauren Stephenson 74-75-74, 223, 20. Alice Hewson 77-75-77, 229, 50.  Sydney Legacy 77-79-79, 235, 72.  Marisa Messana 80-83-81, 244, 92.  Jessica Hoang 86-81-90, 257.