Rollins Captures 2016 NCAA Women’s Golf Title
Twentieth SSC women's golf championship, 96th overall
By: Rollins College Athletic Communications (From NCAA.com)
DENVER – Coming into final round of the Championship up seven, the Tars battled tough scoring conditions and grinded to a nine stroke victory over the defending National Champions, Indianapolis. Rollins has now won a record six NCAA Division II National Championships. Led by head coach Julie Garner each time, the Tars won four-straight from 2003-to-2006. Rollins’ most recent championship was in 2008.
Complete Listing: Sunshine State Conference National Championships
Prior to the NCAA recognizing women’s golf, Rollins won seven NGCA national titles to total 13 in its distinguished program history.
The Tars shot a 302 on Saturday to finish with a four-round score of 1173 strokes. UIndy carded a 304 to take second with a total of 1182 strokes, holding off Nova Southeastern who posted a 294 to finish one stroke back in third with 1183 strokes. Saint Leo shot the low round of the day with a 293 to jump three spots to tie for fourth with Grand Valley State at 1189 strokes. Dallas Baptist entered the day in third but fell to a tie for sixth with Tarleton State with 1190 strokes.
Sophomore Lexie Toth entered the day tied for ninth and was two under for the day, the second best round of any competitor. Toth finished with four birdies, including the National Championship clincher on 18, 12 pars, and a pair of bogey’s. The Dublin, Ohio native carded rounds of 71-74-74-70 (289) to finish the tournament alone in fourth, earning a spot on the All-Tournament team.
Senior Annie Dulman joined Toth on the All-Tournament team, finishing in a tie for ninth with 295 strokes after a final round 74. Dulman entered the day tied for 16th before jumping seven spots on the final day, totaling one birdie, 14 pars, and three bogey’s. The two-time WGCA National Player of the Year will end her Rollins career as one of the most accomplished golfers in the history of the program.
Hally Leadbetter shot an 82 on Saturday to tie for 15th with a score of 297 (72-69-74-82). The fifth year senior was vital in Tars championship run as she was the 36-hole leader after opening with rounds of 72-69.
Junior Paige Lyle shot her second straight 78 to finish the Championship in a tie for 20th. Lyle carded rounds of 75-68-78-78 (299) on the weekend, with the second round 68 setting a new career low. On Saturday, the Orlando native totaled one birdie, 11 pars, five bogey’s, and a double.
The 2015 National runner-up, Madison Lellyo shot 80 Saturday to tie for 53rd with a score of 309 (78-77-74-80) for the weekend. She was three-over in the front and took a triple-bogey on No. 11. She would follow with seven straight pars before a double on 18.
The Championship was hosted by Metro State University-Denver and the Denver Sports Commission as part of the National Championships Festival. The 2016 Division II National Championships Festival marked the ninth occurrence of the distinctive Division II event. 76 qualifying teams and 20 qualifying individuals represented their institutions by competing for national championships in men’s and women’s golf, women’s lacrosse, softball, and men’s and women’s tennis.