Led by the 18th-place finish of Katie Sundberg, the Ball State women's golf team recorded its best-ever finish at the Mid-American Conference Championships over the weekend. The Cardinals' three-round 984 total (332-315-337) earned them a sixth-place finish, one spot higher than their previous best last year.
"We didn't reach our goal of finishing in the top four, but everyone finished strong, and I'm encouraged by our steady progress," coach Shelley Sanders said. "We got off to a slow start. We didn't post a good first-day score, which really hurt us."
Kent State won its sixth-straight MAC Championship by shooting 902 and winning by 18 strokes, its smallest winning margin ever in the event. The Golden Flashes were led by medalist Gabby Wedding, who shot a 1-under-par 215.
The second round proved to be the key to Ball State's sixth-place finish. The Cardinals shot a 315, the fourth-best score of the day.
"We could have shot lights out the second round, but we had to count an 83," Sanders said.
Three of the five BSU golfers improved on their first-day score in the second round. The most significant improvement came from Chelsie Flannery, who shaved 10 strokes and shot a team-best 74.
"I was very pleased with how I played in the second round," Flannery said. "I was in the zone. All the putts fell."
The final round proved to be tougher for everyone, as the weather conditions were very difficult. The players had to battle rain, wind, cooler temperatures and a soaked golf course.
"The golf course was really, really wet," Sanders said. "It was a little on the long side, but the course was fair."
"It rained pretty hard for the first half of the round," Sundberg said. "They moved some of the tees back this year, so it played longer and wet."
Sundberg was the top Ball State golfer again this year, finishing one spot higher than her 19th-place showing in 2003. She fired an impressive final round 77 in the tough conditions.
Flannery was the second-highest finisher for BSU. Her three-round 245 total (84-74-87) placed her tied for 24th.
Flannery, a freshman, said that she enjoyed her first experience at the MAC Championships.
"It was extremely exciting," she said. "I really enjoyed competing."
The only disappointment for Flannery came at the end of her second round.
"I missed a one-foot downhill putt on the 18th hole for a 73," she said. "It was my goal to shoot 73 at the MAC Championships."
Unfortunately, the putt lipped out, preventing her from tying a career-low round.
Rounding out the lineup was Lisa Robertson (88-79-86) and Ali Meyer (83-83-87), who both tied for 31st place at 253. Carmen Bodine shot 81-83, before withdrawing from the tournament due to an illness in the family.
The best showing for the Cardinals this year had Sanders looking forward to future.
"I'm certainly encouraged by the bright spots," she said. "And I think that the program will continue to grow."
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