The women’s team for the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville has some catching up to do after firing a 21-over par on the opening day of the NCAA Columbus Regional on Monday at the Ohio State Golf Club in Columbus, Ohio.
The Razorbacks are in seventh place, trailing Texas A&M by one stroke and South Carolina by two strokes in the 54-hole, three-day regional. The top six teams from each of four regional sites will advance to the NCAA Championships in two weeks.
Sophomore Cara Gorlei led the Razorbacks with a 2-over 74, helped by three birdies in her final five holes, to tie for seventh place in the medalist’s race. Sophomore Kaylee Benton and senior Summar Roachell fired 5-over 77s, while junior Alana Uriell and sophomore Maria Fassi both carded a 9-over 81.
“This is a championship golf course, and it demands your presence and your discipline,” Arkansas Coach Shauna Estes-Taylor said. “You can’t be greedy. If you get into trouble, you have to get out of trouble and you have to take advantage of your opportunities when you get them.
“It’s a smart golfer’s golf course, and I have been telling the team how important it is to stay in every golf shot.”
No. 4 Florida, the SEC champion, leads the regional, which is being played on Ohio State’s 6,416-yard Scarlet Course, with a 9-over. No. 5 Florida State is at 11 over.
Purdue and Ohio State are tied for third at 14 over.