Three members of the N.C. State women’s golf team shot three under par on Saturday to lift the Wolfpack to a third-place finish in the NCAA Regional Championships.
“It was a wonderful thing that they accomplished,” Marsh said. “They were so determined, and I was so proud of them.”
Making its 12th appearance at NCAA Regionals in the past 13 years, the State team entered the three-day event seeded ninth among the field of 24. Three other ACC teams, including No. 4 Duke, were a part of the tournament hosted by Florida State. Only the top eight teams would advance to the NCAA Championships.
Last season, the Pack came one stroke short of a NCAA Championship berth, finishing ninth in the Regional tournament. This year, however, the Pack looked to bounce back strong.
“They’ve been waiting to play this particular event since the season ended last year,” Marsh said. “They’ve worked hard as a team, all eight of them.”
After the first day of competition, State was in fifth place with a composite score of 286 (-2). Senior Brittany Marchand led the way for the Pack with a 68 (-4), tying her for fourth in the individual competition. Junior Augusta James also started strong, shooting a 69 (-3).
The Wolfpack team was led throughout the year by Marchand and James, both of which earned All-ACC honors this season. Both Marchand and James averaged scores under 74 during the 2014 season.
“They’ve worked hard all year,” Marsh said. “They’ve continued to grow their own game and they help push each other. They bring an energy that really resonates through all of us.”
The second day proved to be troublesome for the Pack, as the team dropped to seventh in the standings. Marchand struggled, managing only a 79 (+7).
“The second day was a bit challenging but they hung in there,” Marsh said. “They gave themselves an opportunity for the last day.”
On the third and final day, State turned on the heat, shooting eight under par as a team. All five members of the Pack shot under par through the front nine. Marchand, James and junior Lindsay McGetrick each finished the day with scores of 69 (-3), and McGetrick recorded a team-high six birdies.
James finished the tournament with a score of 211 (-5), tied for fourth place in the individual competition. Marsh said James’ consistent play was the key to her success.
“She was very consistent, as she often is,” Marsh said. “Her teammates had her back, and she fed off of the team’s energy.”
The sudden outburst by the State players propelled the team to a third-place tie with Duke, with both teams totaling a score of 860 (-4). Vanderbilt took the Regional title with a score of 840 (-24). The Commodores had all five of its players finish in the top 25.
The Pack will travel to Tulsa, Okla. on May 20 for the NCAA Championships.
