NIACC women's golfers tee off at nationals today
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Three NIACC women's golfers tee off today in the opening round of the NJCAA national golf tournament at the LPGA International Golf Course.
NIACC sophomores Savannah Lentz, Carlie Eckenrod and Bailey Walter earned trips to the national tournament with their top 15 performances at the NJCAA Region XI tournament in April.
Eckenrod will tee off at 11:50 a.m. today, Lentz has a noon tee time and Bailey tees off at 12:10 p.m.
At the regional meet at Otter Creek in Ankeny, Lentz finished seventh with a 131 (84-47) while Eckenrod was 12th with a 137 (92-45) and Walter 13th with a 90-50 – 140. The regional tournament was shortened to 27 holes due to inclement weather.
Lentz will be playing in her second national tournament. She tied for 71st at last year's national tournament in Mesa, Ariz. with a 100-91-95-85 - 371.
It is the 10th straight year that NIACC coach Chris Frenz has qualified at least one female golfer for the national tournament. The highest finisher in the Frenz era was Mikayla Smith, who tied for 47th at the 2012 national tournament also held at the LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla.