WESTFIELD, Ind. – Lipscomb Women's Golf's historic 2022-23 season came to an end on Wednesday afternoon at the NCAA Westfield Regional at The Club at Chatham Hills with a 12
th place finish.
"We are grateful for the opportunity to have played in the NCAA Regional," said interim head coach
Shannon O'Brien. "I shared with the girls it is important that we don't allow this tournament's finish to eclipse all the achievements of this year. We have had a special season. I'm proud of the girls' character and diligence. They have worked really hard, and gained great experience. We look forward to continuing to build on this through next season," added O'Brien.
The Bisons were paired with Morehead State and the No. 8 Oregon Ducks for the final round and shot their best round of the tournament with a 296 (+8) in the third round.
Ally Williams was the leader of the day for the Bisons with a solid 72 (E), her best round of the tournament. Williams had a hot start with birdies on holes 11 and 13, including a near hole-in-one on hole 11, and ended her day with a birdie on her final hole. All told, Williams finished tied for 53
rd with a 227 (+11).
Lauren Thompson was the leader for Lipscomb over the first two rounds, coming into the day two-under par. Thompson, however, fell behind early in the third round and put up a 76 (+4). All told, Thompson was the Bisons' leader on the tournament, finishing with a 218 (+2) to tie for 29
th place in the field.
Mary Kate Smith turned in a 75 (+3) in her final round, after being consistent over the first two days. On the tournament, Smith tied for 47
th with a 224 (+8).
Mia Seeman finished out her collegiate golf career with her best round of the week on Wednesday. Seeman was holding a steady even to par heading into the final two holes of the round. A bogey on the eighth hole pushed her to (+1) on the round, but she improved seven strokes from her first round of play.
Tzunami Polito rounded out the competition for the Bisons with an 80 (+8) on the round. Her 74 in the second round was just one stroke off of her season-best score.
HISTORIC NUMBERS
The Bisons put together the best season the Lipscomb Women's Golf Program has ever seen. The squad broke nearly every record possible this season, including its first-ever ASUN Championship, first-ever NCAA Tournament Appearance, the most tournament wins in program history, season scoring average, program high national ranking, par or better rounds, finish percentage, team low round and low round vs. par, team low 36-hole total and team low 54-hole total, just to name a few.
BRIGHT FUTURE
Lipscomb will be the favorite in the ASUN next season as the Bisons return four of its five athletes who competed on the ASUN Championship squad. Included in these returners is Thompson, the ASUN Individual Champion, and
Mary Kate Smith, the ASUN Golfer of the Year.
The Bisons will welcome Danica Badura, a fifth-year grad transfer for the 2023-24 season. Badura was recently the Summit League Championship Individual Runner-Up and will bring veteran experience. Lipscomb will also welcome talented freshmen in Ziyu Foon, a Malaysian National Team member, and Texas native Katya Tibbitts.
COMING UP
The programs' next event is a team mission trip to Scotland in August. The squad will be serving August 10-18.
Team Standings:
Top 5 teams advance to NCAA Championships
1. #5 Mississippi State – 280-275-290 – 845 (-19)
2. Oregon State – 286-277-284 – 847 (-17)
3. #17 Vanderbilt – 287-282-279 – 848 (-16)
4. #25 Virginia – 287-284-278 – 849 (-15)
5. Tulsa – 279-292-284 – 855 (-9)
6. #20 Iowa State – 286-288-286 – 860 (-4)
T7. Tennessee – 288-294-281 – 863 (-1)
T7. Xavier – 289-285-289 – 863 (-1)
9. Michigan – 283-294-289 – 866 (+2)
10. #8 Oregon – 294-291-288 – 873 (+9)
11. Morehead State – 296-302-293 – 891 (+27)
12. Lipscomb University – 299-301-296 – 896 (+32)
