Saturday, May 7
Baton Rouge, La.
Florida Gators
at
NCAA Regional Championship
2016 Baton Rouge Regional Champions
Gators Win Share of Regional Title, Advance to NCAA Championship
Saturday, May 7, 2016 | Women's Golf
BATON ROUGE, La. – The University of Florida women's golf team used a program-record round of 11-under 277 Saturday to claim a share of the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional Championship and earn a spot in the NCAA Championship. Junior Karolina Vlckova fired a school-record 7-under 65, birdying the 18th hole to clinch the Gators' share of the win and earn individual runner-up honors.
The victory marks UF's seventh title this season and second NCAA Regional win, as Florida brought home its first regional championship in 2008. With the win, the Gators punch their tickets to Eugene, Ore., for the NCAA Championship May 20-25. It will be the team's first appearance at the national championship since 2014, when the Orange and Blue tied for 18th.
The Gators overcame a 13-stroke deficit after entering Saturday's final round in third place. Their third-round 11-under 277 broke the school record by two strokes and tied the University Club Golf Club's post-renovation record for lowest team round (set Friday by South Carolina.) Florida wrapped up the contest with a season-low -7 (857) to split top honors with South Carolina and place all five Gators in the top 25. The Gamecocks' Katelyn Dambaugh carded a -9 (207) to claim the individual title.
While individual runner-up Vlckova led the way for the Orange and Blue with a career-best -6 (210), it was a truly a team effort that brought the title home. Junior Maria Torres collected the team's only eagle of the tournament on the 11th hole en route to recording a 3-under 69 on Saturday. She placed seventh with a -1 (215), while freshman Sam Wagner tied for 22nd and junior Kelly Grassel and sophomore Taylor Tomlinson tied for 25th.
Head Coach Emily Glaser:
On the team tying to win the NCAA Regional Championship:
"It was just an amazing day. I could not be more proud of this group and how they responded to the challenge today. It was the most patient round of team golf I have seen them play, and the timing was obviously great. We are happy to be advancing to nationals, but I'm also pleased about the statement that we made today and the momentum that this will give us heading to Oregon."
On Karolina Vlckova's runner-up performance:
"Today was a real turning point for Karolina. She played fantastic, which we know she can, but I was so proud of how she grinded out there. She kept making birdies and going for more. There was no hesitation and total commitment. It was really fun to watch."
Final Results
Team: (Top six advance to National Championship)
T1. FLORIDA -7 (293-287-277-857)
T1. South Carolina -7 (290-277-290-857)
3. Washington -1 (286-289-288-863)
4. Duke +6 (298-287-285-870)
5. Oregon +18 (292-296-294-882)
6. BYU +20 (298-290-296-884)
Players:
2. Karolina Vlckova -6 (74-71-65-210)
T7. Maria Torres -1 (71-75-69-215)
T22. Sam Wagner +4 (80-69-71-220)
T25. Kelly Grassel +5 (72-77-72-221)
T25. Taylor Tomlinson +5 (76-72-73-221)
Full Leaderboard
Follow the Gators: Florida will look to claim the program's third national title when the NCAA Championship begins in Eugene, Ore., on May 20. The tournament will run from May 20-25 at the Eugene Country Club, with live scoring available at Golfstat.com.
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The victory marks UF's seventh title this season and second NCAA Regional win, as Florida brought home its first regional championship in 2008. With the win, the Gators punch their tickets to Eugene, Ore., for the NCAA Championship May 20-25. It will be the team's first appearance at the national championship since 2014, when the Orange and Blue tied for 18th.
The Gators overcame a 13-stroke deficit after entering Saturday's final round in third place. Their third-round 11-under 277 broke the school record by two strokes and tied the University Club Golf Club's post-renovation record for lowest team round (set Friday by South Carolina.) Florida wrapped up the contest with a season-low -7 (857) to split top honors with South Carolina and place all five Gators in the top 25. The Gamecocks' Katelyn Dambaugh carded a -9 (207) to claim the individual title.
While individual runner-up Vlckova led the way for the Orange and Blue with a career-best -6 (210), it was a truly a team effort that brought the title home. Junior Maria Torres collected the team's only eagle of the tournament on the 11th hole en route to recording a 3-under 69 on Saturday. She placed seventh with a -1 (215), while freshman Sam Wagner tied for 22nd and junior Kelly Grassel and sophomore Taylor Tomlinson tied for 25th.
Head Coach Emily Glaser:
On the team tying to win the NCAA Regional Championship:
"It was just an amazing day. I could not be more proud of this group and how they responded to the challenge today. It was the most patient round of team golf I have seen them play, and the timing was obviously great. We are happy to be advancing to nationals, but I'm also pleased about the statement that we made today and the momentum that this will give us heading to Oregon."
On Karolina Vlckova's runner-up performance:
"Today was a real turning point for Karolina. She played fantastic, which we know she can, but I was so proud of how she grinded out there. She kept making birdies and going for more. There was no hesitation and total commitment. It was really fun to watch."
Final Results
Team: (Top six advance to National Championship)
T1. FLORIDA -7 (293-287-277-857)
T1. South Carolina -7 (290-277-290-857)
3. Washington -1 (286-289-288-863)
4. Duke +6 (298-287-285-870)
5. Oregon +18 (292-296-294-882)
6. BYU +20 (298-290-296-884)
Players:
2. Karolina Vlckova -6 (74-71-65-210)
T7. Maria Torres -1 (71-75-69-215)
T22. Sam Wagner +4 (80-69-71-220)
T25. Kelly Grassel +5 (72-77-72-221)
T25. Taylor Tomlinson +5 (76-72-73-221)
Full Leaderboard
Follow the Gators: Florida will look to claim the program's third national title when the NCAA Championship begins in Eugene, Ore., on May 20. The tournament will run from May 20-25 at the Eugene Country Club, with live scoring available at Golfstat.com.
FloridaGators.com
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Golf
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