Women's Golf shatters 36-hole record by 8 strokes, finishes third at loaded Berry (Ga.) Invitational
By Tim Glon
ROME, Ga. — The Ohio Northern women's golf team broke its 36-hole school record by a full eight strokes and finished third of 12 teams at the Berry (Ga.) Chik-Fil-A Invitational Monday and Tuesday at the Coosa Country Club.
The Polar Bears (42-3 overall) carded a 310-311—621, which is 18 shots better than the previous record of 639 set twice in 2021.
Northern also posted the two lowest 18-hole scores in school history. Monday's first round of 310 was four shots better than the previous record of 314 set earlier this season at Heidelberg and in 2021 at the Capital Classic
Junior Grace Honigford (West Chester/Lakota East) tied for ninth out of 66 golfers on the 5652-yard, par-72 course with a 9-over par 74-79—153.
Sophomore Amelia Burger (Centerville) tied for 13th with a 79-75—154, sophomore Rhianna Firmstone (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) tied for 15th with an 80-75—155, freshman Marisa Alfes (Bellbrook) was 23rd with a 77-83—160 and senior Isabella Orofino (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) tied for 28th with an 83-82—165.
No. 9-ranked Methodist (N.C.) won the team title with a 301-301—602, Sewanee (Tenn.) was second with a 309-304—613, Oglethorpe (Ga.) was fourth with a 319-307—262 and No. 23-ranked Otterbein was fifth with a 318-321—639.
Individually, No. 4-ranked Sarah Hsu of Oglethorpe won Medalist honors with a 67-74—141.
The tournament featured six teams ranked in the top 44 nationally in the latest GolfStat power rankings. Methodist (9) and Sewanee (33) finished ahead of ONU. Northern defeated No. 24 Oglethorpe, No. 18 Otterbein and No. 43 Berry (Ga.)
The Polar Bears are done competing in the fall season and will announce their spring schedule in February.
Team Standings
1. #9 Methodist (N.C.) 301-301—602, 2. Sewanee (Tenn.) 309-304—613, 3. Ohio Northern 310-311—621, 4. Oglethorpe (Ga.) 319-307—626, 5. #23 Otterbein 318-321—639, 6. Berry (Ga.) 325-321—646, 7. Transylvania (Ky.) 327-327—654, 8. Huntingdon (Ala.) 320-337—657, 9. Piedmont (N.C.) 328-331—659, 10. Randolph-Macon (Ga.) 352-347—699, 11. Birmingham Southern (Ala.) 358-354—712, 12. Maryville (Tenn.) 358-371—729.
Top 5 Individuals
1. Sarah Hsu (Oglethorpe) 67-74—141, 2. Jillian Drinkard (Methodist) 74-73—147, 3. Merrick Semans (Sewanee) 73-75—148, t4. June Lee (Transylvania) 78-72—150, t4. Erin Donovan (Piedmont) 75-75—150.
Ohio Northern Individual Results
t9. Grace Honigford 74-79—153, t13. Amelia Burger 79-75—154, t15. Rhianna Firmstone 80-75—155, 23. Marisa Alfes 77-83—160, t28. Isabella Orofino 83-82—165.