LCU Completes Program's Best Finish

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - California Baptist captured its first-ever NAIA Women’s Golf National Championship, winning in a playoff against Embry-Riddle (Fla.) at Link Hills Country Club on Friday. The Lancers Nathalie Silva sunk the tying birdie on No. 18 to tie the Eagles at 1252 to force the extra hole. It was the first time in the event’s 17-year history that a playoff was needed to determine the national champion.  Lubbock Christian University, who led after the second round, finished in fifth place for their best finish in program history.

On the decisive hole, the Lancers were able to get all five players to the green of the par-4 No. 4 on their second shots. However, Embry-Riddle had a pair of second shots land in the rough to the left of the green. California Baptist counted three pars and Sara Koizumi sunk a marquee putt for birdie to clinch the title.

The Eagles took second-place honors for the second time in program history, previously finishing as the runner-up in 2008. Embry-Riddle posted rounds of 323-305-315-309—1252. Shorter (Ga.) placed third with a 326-305-319-304—1254, and was followed by Oklahoma City in fourth at 330-306-314-305—1255 and Lubbock Christian rounded out the top-five teams at 325-302-324-314—1265.

Kylie Barros of British Columbia won national medalist honors with a four-day total of 73-74-75-75—297. Barros is the first British Columbia player to claim the individual title after falling in a playoff a season ago. She finished four strokes ahead of runner-up Danielle Bellet of Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.), who rallied from a 4-over-par 77 in the first round with rounds of 74, 75 and 75 to total 301.

After winning national medalist honors in 2010, Silva placed third with a 10-over-par 302. Embry-Riddles Fabys Barreto-Guzman and Laura Jones of Oklahoma City tied for fourth with 303s to round out the top-five individuals. Golfers that placed among the top 15 were named to the All-Tournament Team. California Baptist, Embry-Riddle and Shorter each had a pair of players land a spot on the team.

LCU, whose previous top finish at the event was a share of sixth in 2008, was led by All-Tournament performer Anna Schoop.  The sophomore from Germany finished in a share of ninth place with a four-round total of 309 (80-74-78-77).  Rachael Dansby was second on the team and finished tied for 24th with a 318 (80-79-84-75).  Shelbye Hill and Sinae Montoya each finished in the top-50 for LCU.  Hill shot a 320 (80-77-82-81) for a share of 31st place and Montoya fired a 321 (85-72-81-83) to finish tied for 35th.  Macalee Lane completed the Lady Chaps squad finishing tied for 82nd with a score of 335 (91-80-83-81).

Carol Galindo of Northwood (Texas) became the second player in the four rounds of action at Link Hills Country Club to connect on a hole-in-one. She joined Lubbock Christian’s Shelbye Hill, as the freshman used a 7-wood to sink a hole-in-one from 170 yards out on No. 6.


All-Tournament Team
Kylie Barros, British Columbia
Danielle Bellet, Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)
Nathalie Silva, California Baptist
Laura Jones, Oklahoma City
Fabys Barreto-Guzman, Embry-Riddle (Fla.)
Greta Lange, Shorter (Ga.)
Kaelyn Lingenfelter, Bethel (Ind.)
Pia Jenko, Embry-Riddle (Fla.)
Anna Schoop, Lubbock Christian (Texas)
Nikki Stewart, SCAD Savannah (Ga.)
Jamie Palermo, William Woods (Mo.)
Lisa Persson, Shorter (Ga.)
Sara Koizumi, California Baptist
Megan Woodland, Victoria (B.C.)
Courtney Shelton, Lee (Tenn.)