Women's Golf fights through two weather delays, improves by five shots on second day of NCAA III Championships

Women's Golf fights through two weather delays, improves by five shots on second day of NCAA III Championships
May 22, 2024

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. — Ohio Northern fought through two weather delays and moved up to 20th place out of 29 teams after the first day of the 2024 NCAA Division III Championships on a warm and wet Wednesday at Keene Run Golf Course.

The Polar Bears finished their second round with a 326-321—647. The second round was not completed due to darkness with 15 teams still on the course.

Senior Grace Honigford (West Chester/Lakota East) followed her opening round a 2-over par 74 with a 4-over par 76 in the second round to lead the Polar Bears.

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The Basics

  • The Polar Bears carded a 326-321—647 to stand in 20th place out of 29 teams.
  • The top half of the field did not finish their rounds, with players having anywhere from six to 11 holes remaining to play.
  • Play is expected to continue at 7 am, with third round action following.
  • ONU Record: 72-35 Overall.
  • Venue: Keene Trace Golf Club (Keen Run Course) - Nicholasville, Ky.

ONU Individuals

  • Honigford is currently tied for 16th of 150 golfers on the par-72, 5826-yard course with her 74-76—150.
  • Junior Amelia Burger (Centerville) is tied for 76th with an 83-77—160.
  • Sophomore Marisa Alfes (Bellbrook) is tied for 114th with an 88-80—168.
  • Junior Rhianna Firmstone (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) is tied for 129th with an 86-88—174.
  • Fifth-year senior Torrie Smith (Kokomo, Ind./Western) is tied for 133rd with an 83-93—176. 

Notables

  • Ohioi Northern will likely miss the cut, which is to the top 15 teams after the completion of the second round on Thursday morning.
  • Honigford is in the hunt to grab one of the seven individual spots for players not on teams that made the cut.
  • Honigford has been Medalist 22 times in 46 career tournaments. 
  • Burger has one Medalist honor to her credit.
  • The tournament consists of 18 holes each day Tuesday-Friday.
  • The tournament will cut to the top 15 teams after the second round on Wednesday. The top six individuals not on teams that made the cut will also advance to the two final rounds.
  • Wednesday's round was halted due to lightning late in the morning, then stopped again in the afternoon due to a thunderstorm.
  • ONU's golfers began their rounds at 8:20 am and did not finish until after 4 pm.
  • Ohio Northern received an automatic bid to the NCAA III Championships by winning the OAC Championships crown by five strokes over Otterbein.
  • The Polar Bears grabbed the OAC title for the third time in program history and the second time in the past four seasons
  • Head coach Chad Bucci is 444-283-2 in his 11th season at the helm of the ONU women's golf team, a winning percentage of .610.

Up Next

  • Honigford is hoping to finish in the top seven individuals not on teams making the cut, which would give her two more rounds of play Thursday afternoon and Friday.