Three NIACC women's golfers qualify for nationals

May 1, 2016

By The Globe Gazette staff

ANKENY — Weather shortened the second round to just nine holes at the women's Region XI golf tournament held at Otter Creek Golf Course on Saturday with three NIACC golfers qualifying for the national tournament.

Sophomores Savannah Lentz, Carlie Eckenrod and Bailey Walter all qualified for the NJCAA national tournament set for May 16-19 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

"I couldn't be more excited for the three sophomores that battled through horrendous playing conditions today to make it to the national tournament," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. "What a thrill."

Lentz finished seventh overall with a 131 (84-47) while Eckenrod was 12^th with a 137 (92-45) and Walter 13^th with a 90-50 – 140 for the Lady Trojans, who finished fourth in the team standings with a 548. Iowa Western – led by medalist Sena Ersoy, who shot a 112 (71-41) – won with a 475, DMACC was second with a 528 and Iowa Central was third with a 546.

"It's great that Savannah will have another opportunity to compete in a national championship, having gone last year to Mesa, Arizona, for golf and this year with the women's basketball team," Frenz said. "That's a pretty solid college career. I know she wasn't real pleased with how she played last year and, being the type of competitor she is, I know she wanted another chance. Carlie was outstanding today as she made up five strokes on the field to get in and I can't wait to see Bailey play in Daytona with the length she has off the tee box."

Freshmen Lyndie Phillips and Alyssa Purman also turned in solid days but their performances weren't quite enough to qualify for the national tournament. Phillips was 17^th overall with a 140 (90-50) while Purman shot a 148 (99-48).

"Lyndie and Bailey actually got into a 5-player sudden death playoff and Walter took care of business right away by getting a par on the first hole to secure her spot. Lyndie pushed the battle to the third playoff hole when she bowed out with a double bogey while the other players recorded pars.

"It's always bittersweet when that happens, you're elated for the ones that made it yet obviously very disappointed for those that didn't, but wow did they put up a fight in these conditions."