April 23, 2006
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Auburn women's golf team continued its dominance in day three winning the Lady Buckeye Invitational by 27 strokes at the par 72, 6,177-yard Golf Course of Dublin. Senior Maria Martinez captured the individual title with a 9-under, followed by Nicole Hage in second at 8-under.
"We really had a strong tournament and great play from everyone this weekend," head coach Kim Evans said. "To break the school record for three rounds of play is proof that everyone was on their game this weekend and running on all cylinders. Now we turn our focus to NCAAs and getting ready for the regional tournament."
Auburn's three-round total of 849 demolishes the school record of 864, previously set at the 2002 SEC Championship. The tournament win for Auburn is the fifth of the season, tying the 2000 and 2001 seasons for most tournament wins in a year.
The Tigers, with a three-round total of 15-under 288-280-281--849, defeated second place Florida by 27 strokes with a 12-over (289-295-292--876). The top five was rounded out by third-place Purdue at 13-over (287-296-294--877), fourth place Kent State at 23-over (287-302-298--887) and host Ohio State took fifth firing a 24-over (297-301-290--888).
Martinez put together the second-best 54-hole score in Auburn history with a 9-under 69-67-71--207 in the two-day event. Hage, who finished second overall, now holds the third-best 54-hole score with an 8-under 71-69-68--208.
Sandra Gal of Florida finished third at 3-under and in fourth O. Sattayabanphot of Purdue carded an even par. Tied for fifth was Auburn's Margaret Shirley (73-72-72--217) and Abigale Schepperle (75-72-70--217), each at 1-over. Finishing out Auburn's top five was Jessica Lovell in a tie for 35th with an 11-over 79-74-74--227.
The Tigers will now await its placing in the NCAA Regional when regions are announced on May 1. The three tournament regions are Browns Summit, N.C., Bryan Texas and Auburn, Wash.