Johnson Qualifies for NCAA Central Golf Regional
April 26, 2004 | Women's Golf
Although her team didn't qualify, Wisconsin's Malinda Johnson was the first individual picked for the NCAA Central Regional May 6-8 at University Golf Course, Normal, Illinois. Illinois State is the host to one of three regionals which include 63 teams and nine individuals.
It will be Johnson's third regional experience after placing third individually with a 54-hole total 219 in 2003, as a member of the Badger team. She was fifth with a 226 when the Wisconsin team played at the 2002 regional.
The top eight teams and top two individuals not part of a team will advance to the NCAA Div. I Championship hosted by Auburn University May 18-21, at the Grand National Lake Course in Opelika, Alabama. Johnson had her first NCAA Championship experience when the Badgers qualified for their first team NCAA bid in 2003. She led UW and finished tied for 55th with a 72-hole total of 310.
This is the eighth year that a Badger team or individual has qualified for NCAA regional play. Katie Connelly became Wisconsin's first NCAA Regional medalist when she won the Central Regional last year with a 217.
Despite playing with an injury during the last month, the lone Badger senior has maintained a school record scoring average hitting 74.2 strokes per round. She should reset her own career average as well. She earned All-Big Ten Conference honors after finishing fourth in the Big Ten meet last weekend.
Among UW's best, Johnson ranks at or near the top in the record book.
18-hole low: 1st (66)
36-hole low: T4th (144)
54-hole low: T2nd (216)
72-hole low: T1st (296)
Season Avg.^: 1st (74.20 a)
Career Avg.*: 1st (76.20)
^Set to break her own current record of 75.94 (02-03)
*Set to break current record of 77.48
The regional sites and the selected teams and individuals are listed below can be found at www.ncaa.org.
