CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas -- Senior Charlotte McGinnis and junior Whitney Cox tied for low-round honors of the day for the Bradley women's golf team, with both individuals carding 76 during Tuesday's final round to help the Braves to a 10th place finish at the Islander Spring Classic at the Corpus Christi Country Club.
The duo both saved their best rounds of the tournament for Tuesday's final round of play, helping the Braves to their lowest round in the three-round event. Bradley had four of its five players shoot in the 70's and finished off play with a final round 308 to finish 10th overall at 931, nine shots behind North Texas for ninth place.
The tournament opened the spring season for Bradley and marked the first time, due to a abnormally rough Peoria winter, the Braves had been able to hit golf balls off grass.
"In most cases we would be disappointed in a 10th place finish, but considering what we've been able to do in order to prepare for the Islander Invitational there is nothing to be upset about," coach Bo Ryan said. "Nearly all the teams involved this event had already played one tournament and everybody else, except us, were able to conduct some quality practices and play some golf."
"All northern schools who sponsor golf face a weather issue every now and then, but this was the first time in nearly 20 years of coaching we have went into the spring season tournament without having played at least one round of golf," Ryan added. "But the key thing is that championships aren't won in February. My players showed a great deal of focus and determination in a tough situation. We'll make up the stagger quickly and I anticipate another successful spring campaign."
Sophomore Bari-Lynn Erais was Bradley's top finisher in the event, finishing tied for 27th at 230 after shooting 77 Tuesday. McGinnis was two shots behind Erais in a tie for 33rd place after her final-round 76 pushed her tournament-total to 232. Junior Rikki Sobel fired a 79 on the last day of play and finished tied for 37th at 233.
Cox final round 76 moved her into a tie for 61st at 242, while sophomore Lauren Downing rounded out the scoring for the Braves with an 82 Tuesday to finish at 254 and alone in 80th place.
Sam Houston State shot a one-under par 287 to come from five shots back and claim the team title with a score of 892. Missouri State was second with a score of 896 and was 10 shots better then third-place Lamar at 906. McNeese State took fourth place overall at 914, while Redlands and tournament-host Texas A&M Corpus Christi were tied for fifth at 915.
Southern Illinois and Oral Roberts finished tied for seventh at 918 and North Texas was ninth overall at 922. Bradley was nine shots behind North Texas in 10th at 931 and the Braves had a three-shot lead on 11th place finisher Central Arkansas, who boasted the individual medalist. McLennan, Texas-San Antonio, Texas State and Texas-Pan American rounded out the 15-team field.
Bradley will return to action March 9-11 at the Rio Verde Invitational in Rio Verde, Ariz.
