TULSA, Okla. – After two rounds of the ORU Shootout, presented by Mark Allen Auto Group, the ULM women's golf team is tied for 11th place (with Houston Baptist) after shooting a 42-over-par 618 on Monday, Sept. 25 at the par-72, 6,085-yard Meadowbrook Country Club.
Tournament host Oral Roberts (298-302 – 600, +24) leads second-place Lamar (309-294 – 603, +27) by three shots.
The Warhawks shot a 22-over-par 310 in the first round, followed by a 20-over-par 308 in the second round. ULM trails seventh-place McNeese State (308-305 – 613) by just five shots, heading into Tuesday's third and final round.
"We came in with consistent team scores today and that's something we have been striving for; however, we should be in the top half of the field," ULM head women's golf coach
Joni Stephens said. "We started off in the morning very strong, but we let a few holes get away from us halfway through the first round and gave up a few strokes on the home stretch.
"Heading into tomorrow, we are just five shots from the middle of the pack, and we have the capability to move up on the leaderboard. But we have to come out strong, remain focused and energized throughout the entire round and prevent the bigger numbers that are holding our team back."
With a 36-hole score of 1-over-par 145 (72-73), sophomore
Shani White is in second place, just five shots behind Missouri State senior Verena Gimmy (70-70 – 140, -4). White, who shot an even-par 72 in the first round, fired a 3-und-par 33 on the back nine, with four birdies including three in a row from holes 12-14. She carded a 1-over-par 73 in the second round, including 1-under on the back nine. White recorded pars on 25 of 36 holes and converted six birdies.
"I was very proud of Shani's efforts and consistent play today," Stephens said. "This is the second fall tournament in which she has led the team and positioned herself to go after her first individual medalist award. Shani is a competitor and a team player, and she is becoming more aware of the things she has to focus on in order to execute during competition."
Junior
Olivia Landberg posted a 13-over-par 157 (77-80), good for a tie for 49th place. Landberg carded a 5-over-par 77 in the first round, recording pars on 14 of the 18 holes including six straight on the front nine. She completed the second round with an 8-over-par 80. Landberg produced pars on 24 of the 36 holes.
Junior
Ashton Maddaloni finished the first 36 holes with a 14-over-par 158 (79-79). Maddaloni tallied pars on 21 of the 36 holes and made two birdies in the second round.
Freshman
Eva Bjornsdottir shot a 15-over-par 159 and finds herself only one shot behind Maddaloni and two strokes back of Landberg in the individual standings. After posting an 11-over-par 83 in the first round, Bjornsdottir improved her score by seven shots in the second round, shooting a 4-over-par 76, including even-par on the back nine. She recorded pars on 25 of 36 holes.
"I was also excited to see Eva step up as a freshman today," Stephens said. "She struggled in her first round but learned from her mistakes and came back with a solid 76. We also saw some improvements from our other team members during the second round, but we let up again at the finish, giving up too many strokes that we just can't give up."
At 23-over-par 167 (82-85), junior
Scarlett Eaton is in 87th place. Eaton recorded seven birdies over the first 36 holes.
The Warhawks open the third and final round of the ORU Shootout on Tuesday, Sept. 26, with the first ULM golfer on the tee box at 8 a.m. CT.
ULM Scorecard
t-11th – ULM: 310-308 – 618
2nd –
Shani White: 72-73 – 145
t-49th –
Olivia Landberg: 77-80 – 157
t-55th –
Ashton Maddaloni: 79-79 – 158
t-62nd –
Eva Bjornsdottir: 83-76 – 159
87th –
Scarlett Eaton: 82-85 – 167
