WOMEN'S GOLF ADVANCES TO NATIONALS AFTER WINNING REGIONAL

The nationally fourth-ranked Ferris State women’s golf team captured its second regional championship title in school history Wednesday (May 2) afternoon as the Bulldogs compiled a final-round 308 score to win the 2007 NCAA Division II Women’s Golf East Regional in Big Rapids, Mich.

As a result, the Bulldogs will be making their seventh national championship tournament appearance on May 9-12 at the eighth annual NCAA-II Women's Golf Championships in Pace, Fla. Stonebrook Golf Club is the championship tourney site with the University of West Florida serving as the host. Ferris State placed second at the 2006 NCAA-II Championships in Allendale, Mich.

Host Ferris State (298-296-308=902, +38) led the East Regional from start to the finish on the par 72, 5,980-yard Katke Golf Course despite having to hold off a late surge by Drury, Mo. (303-300-305=908, +44) in the final round. The Panthers carded a third-round best 305-stroke total. Drury outdueled Grand Valley State (303-305-308=916, +52) to secure the second and final national championships tournament berth.

The Ferris State women's golf team led from the start to win the 2007 NCAA-II East Regional Championship which was held in Big Rapids. (L-R): Head coach Brad Bedortha, Casey McKinnon, Raquel Hansen, Alison Meyer, Meghan Hunter and Becky Hoffman. (Photo by Sandy Gholston)

California, Pa. (318-317-317=952, +88), Northwood (336-317-310=963, +99) and Indianapolis (330-313-321=964, +100) rounded out the six-team East Regional tournament field.

Junior Becky Hoffman was Ferris State's top finisher with a second-place 219 score (71-71-77=219, +2). Shannon Bost of Drury was the only golfer to better Hoffman's three-round total as she posted a 218 score (73-731-74=218, +2) to earn medalist honors.

Sophomore Meghan Hunter captured fourth place by recording a 225-stroke total (73-73-79=225, +9) while senior Casey McKinnon's 228 score (75-74-79=228, +12) was good for eighth.

Sophomore Alison Meyer moved up from a 22nd-place tie to finish tied for 16th as a result of shooting a 233 (81-79-73=233, +17). Sophomore Raquel Hansen notched a 236 (79-78-79=236, +20) en route to tying for 19th place.

The teams and individuals finished the remaining nine holes of the second round Wednesday morning as a result of heavy rains and wet course conditions forcing a lengthy delay in the start of Tuesday’s (May 1) second round.

Following the tourney's conclusion, the five-member 2007 NCAA-II All-East Regional Team was announced which included Shannon Bost and Tonya Choate both of Drury along with Ferris State’s Becky Hoffman and Meghan Hunter. Tracey Puckering of Grand Valley State also qualified for all-region honors. Drury’s Lisa Tinkler was named the East Region’s Coach of the Year.

Ferris State’s last regional title was in 2004 as the Bulldogs hosted a regional for the first-time ever in the program’s history and proceeded to win the 2004 NCAA-II East Regional crown with a 963 score in the 54-hole event.

Ferris, coached by Brad Bedortha, will be participating in the national tournament for the fourth consecutive season (2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, and 2006-07). The Bulldogs finished runner up at the 2006 NCAA-II Championships (May 10-13) in Allendale, Mich., with a three-round 925-stroke total. The second-place showing not only represented the program's highest finish ever but also in the history of the Ferris State Women's Athletics program.

2007 NCAA Division II Women's Golf East Regional Final Results

1. Ferris State (298-296-308=902, +38)
2. Drury (303-300-305=908, +44)
3. Grand Valley State (303-305-308=916, +52)
4. California, Pa. (318-317-317=952, +88)
5. Northwood (336-317-310=963, +99)
6. Indianapolis (330-313-321=964, +100)