NIACC's Tusler, Maasch both shoot 96 on final day at nationals

BRASELTON, Ga. - NIACC freshmen Courtney Tusler and Brooke Maasch both recorded 96s on the final day at the NJCAA Division I national women's golf tournament at the Chateau Elan Golf Club on Thursday.

Tusler shot a 47-49 - 96 and tied for 90th overall. Maasch fired a 52-44 - 96 and finished in 113th place.

Tusler's four-day total was 92-93-94-96 - 375. Maasch's four-round total was 115-107-104-96 - 422.

"I'm so proud of how these two competed this week," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. "Their scores weren't where they wanted them, but this is a championship course with a a lot of major up and down hills and to battle four days in the heat and humidity was a challenge in itself."

Tusler's 96 on Thursday meant she played all four rounds in the 90s.

"Courtney just couldn't get her approach shots on the green or close to the pin (Thursday)," Frenz said, "and that made for difficult scoring opportunities. She did par the last hole of the tournament so that was a good way to end the 72-hole journey."

On Thursday, Maasch broke into the 90s for the first time at the national tournament.

"That was great to see," Frenz said, "and was good for her to go out feeling good about herself after a tough week scoring-wise."

Frenz said he's excited about the future of the NIACC women's golf program.

"This experience can only benefit them next year," the coach said.

Daytona State was the team champion with a 300-294-296-301 - 1,191. Iowa Western placed fifth (330-332-329-329 - 1,320) and DMACC was 11th (343-332-354-333 - 1,362).

Iowa Western's Sena Ersoy was the individual national champion with a 75-72-72-74 - 293.