Badgers Finish Ninth at Big Ten Championships
April 29, 2007 | Women's Golf
For the second straight year, the University of Wisconsin women's golf team finished in ninth place at the Big Ten championships. After taking ninth last year in Bloomington, Ind., the Badgers did it this year at the par-72, 6,237-yard Forest Akers West Golf Course in East Lansing, Mich. to close out their season.
The Badgers, who were in 10th place after round three, had their best round of the tournament on Sunday as they shot a final-round 23-over par 311. Their four-round total of 1272 (317-322-322-311) put them 84 strokes behind tournament champion Michigan State.
Competing in her second Big Ten championship, sophomore Jeana Dahl (Fargo, N.D.) finished in a tie for 18th. It was the Badgers top individual finish since Malinda Johnson took fourth in 2004. Dahl, who was in 23rd after round three, shot a final round of four-over 76 to end with a four-round total of 24-over 312 (80-76-80-76), her best score for 72-holes in her career. Dahl, who finished tied for 57th at last year's event, was 28 strokes behind tournament champion Rachel Meikle of Michigan State who shot a four-under 284 (71-69-73-71).
Finishing four strokes behind Dahl was junior Katie Elliott (Madison, Wis.). Making her third appearance at the Big Ten championships, Elliott had her best round of the tournament on Sunday as she shot a final-round four-over 76 to finish in a tie for 28th. Elliott, who tied for 22nd last year, also placed 28th in 2005. For the tournament, she was 28-over par with a 316 (82-80-78-76).
Freshman Kelsey Verbeten fell four spots from her third round finish of 38th to end in a tie for 42nd. Verbeten shot an eight-over 80 on Sunday to end with a 33-over par 321 (79-80-82-80) for the tournament.
Finishing in a tie for 54th was sophomore Isabel Alvarez (Gijon, Spain.). Alvarez shot a final round of seven-over 79 to move up two spots on the leader board. Making her second appearance at the Big Tens, Alvarez shot a 41-over 329 (82-86-82-79). Last year, Alvarez placed 47th with a 318 at the event.
Like Verbeten, fellow freshman Heather Herrick (Hartland, Wis.) also dropped four spots from round three to round four. Herrick, who was tied for 57th, shot a final round of 14-over 86 to end in 61st place. Herrick shot a four-round total of 49-over 337 (76-87-88-86).
The team's lone senior, Jill Ries (Middleton, Wis.), ended her Badger career in a tie for 62nd place. Ries had her best round of the tournament on Friday as she shot a nine-over 81 to move up one spot from her round three finish. For the tournament, Ries was 53 strokes over par with a 341 (87-89-84-81). It was her third appearance at the Big Ten championships and ultimately her lowest final position as she had finished 47th in 2005 and 36th in 2004.
