Head Coach Jan Dowling Recaps NCAA East Regional and Previews NCAA Championships
Monday, May 9, 2011 | Women's Golf
University of Florida women's golf head coach Jan Dowling recapped the Gators' performance last weekend in the NCAA East Regional at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla. and then previewed the upcoming NCAA Championships, held at Traditions Golf Club in Bryan, Texas.
Florida was clinging to the eighth and final qualifying spot heading into Saturday's final round of the NCAA East Regional but posted the day low, firing a 285 (-3) that was three strokes better than any of the other 23 teams in the field to secure its spot at nationals. Sophomore Isabelle Lendl (Goshen, Conn.) set a school record for a single round in NCAA regional competition with her third round 68 (-4) and along with Second Team All-Southeastern Conference selection Mia Piccio (Bacolod City, Philippines), just missed top 10 finishes as they each tied for 11th on the Legends Course at LPGA International.
The No. 24 Gators will head to the NCAA Championships, hosted by Texas A&M and compete in a four-day tournament from May 18-21 to decide the national championship.
Coach Dowling discussed the significance of advancing from regionals, the depth of the team's lineup, the emergence of junior Andrea Watts and the competitiveness of Lendl as well as previewing next week's tournament.
The NCAA Championships field consists of: Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, California, Coastal Carolina, Florida, LSU, Minnesota, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Purdue, South Carolina, Southern California, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas A&M, UC Davis, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Wake Forest and Washington.
