FERRIS STATE PLACES THIRD AT 2007 NCAA-II WOMEN'S GOLF
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Ferris State University women's golf team finished third overall in the 2007 NCAA Division II National Championships, which wrapped up with final round play on Saturday (May 12) at the Stonebrook Golf Club in Pace, Fla.

Ferris State junior Becky Hoffman, shown here competing at the national championships, finished ninth individually in leading FSU to a third place overall finish (Photo Courtesy Golfstat.com)

The Bulldogs concluded the four-day (May 9-12) national tournament with a team score of 1,228 strokes (+76). Florida Southern captured the team championship with a four-round total of 1,188 (+36) in defeating four-time defending national champion Rollins (Fla.). Rollins carded a score of 1,198 (+46) to finish second. Drury (Mo.) took fourth place (+85) with Tarleton State (Texas) coming in fifth (+100).

The Bulldogs wrapped up final-round play with a 311 in Saturday's 18 holes of action. Ferris previously posted its best team score of the tournament with a 299 in Friday's (May 11) round. FSU carded a 304 in second-round action Thursday (May 10) following a 314 in opening round play Wednesday (May 9) on the par 72, 5,984-yard course. The Bulldogs maintained their first-day hold on third place throughout the remaining three days of the event.

Bulldog junior Becky Hoffman placed ninth individually in the field of 48 golfers as she posted a final score of 302 (+14) after shooting a 74 on Saturday. Hoffman shot a 76 on Friday after rounds of 79 and 73 the opening two days, respectively.

Sophomore Meghan Hunter tied for 15th place in the field with a 307 (+19). Hunter, who fired a 74 on Friday, came back with a 77 in Saturday's round. She carded an 80 in the second round following her team-leading round of 76 Wednesday.

Sophomore Alison Meyer recorded a 22nd-place individual finish with a 311 (+23) after shooting an 80 in her final round at the national tournament. She had climbed the charts with a team-low total of 73 in Friday's round. Meyer came in with a second-round score of 78 Thursday after posting an 80 in the initial round.

Senior Casey McKinnon wrapped up her Bulldog career in a tie for 27th place at 315 (+27) following her 80 on Saturday. McKinnon, who shot a 79 in the first round, fired a 75 Thursday in round two play and posted an 81 in Friday's third round.

Finally, sophomore Raquel Hansen finished 36th overall with a 320 (+32) for the tournament. Hansen, who shot an 83 Wednesday, tallied a 78 in Thursday's round and followed it up with her best score of the tournament with a 76 Friday. She totaled an 83 in Saturday's action.

Daniela Iacobelli of Florida Tech claimed individual medalist honors in the event with a final score of five-over par (293). She was one stroke better than Nova Southeastern's Maria Garcia Austt, who tallied a 294 (+6).

The national championship tournament, which was hosted by the University of West Florida, consisted of four rounds, 72 holes, and 18 holes per round with team and individual competition conducted concurrently. All participants competed throughout the entire 72 holes of competition. In the team competition, the low four scores for each team counted in each day's total score.

Ferris State was making its fourth consecutive NCAA Division II Women's Golf Championship appearance and the seventh in the program's history after winning the 2007 NCAA-II East Regional (April 30-May 2) at FSU's Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids, Mich.

This year represents the fourth consecutive year the Bulldog women's golf team has finished among the top four teams in the nation. Last year (2006), the Bulldogs came in with a second-place finish at the NCAA-II Women's Golf Championships (May 10-13), which was held at The Meadows Golf Course in Allendale, Mich. Ferris garnered runner-up honors with a three-round 925-stroke total as Rollins (Fla.) captured its fourth straight NCAA-II Women's Golf Championship title. Ferris State's second-place showing also marked the highest finish ever in the history of Bulldog women's athletics.

The Bulldogs placed fourth in the final team standings two years ago (2004-05) and earned a tie for second place overall at the national championships in 2003-04 under head coach Brad Bedortha.

The teams competing in the 2007 NCAA-II Championships along with Ferris State included Florida Southern, Rollins, Drury, Tarleton State, Northeastern State, North Dakota, and Truman State. Four other players took part as individual participants.

Visit This Link For Complete Final Results From The National Championships: http://www.golfstatresults.com/public/index.cfm?tournament_id=969