April 25, 2011
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame women’s golf team will compete in the NCAA Central Regional on May 5-7, at the Warren Golf Course in Notre Dame, Ind., it was announced by the NCAA selection committee Monday evening. The three-day tournament will feature 18 holes each day. In order to advance to the NCAA Finals the Irish need a top-eight finish at the Central Regional, which would be the first time in program history.
“We are excited to have some of the best teams in the country come here and see our facilities” said head coach Susan Holt. “I think it is a great opportunity for our program. We are happy to be playing and to have the opportunity to make it to the NCAA Finals for the first time.”
There are 72 teams and nine individuals set to compete in the three different regional sites. In addition to Notre Dame, the other two 2011 regional sites include the LPGA International Legends Course in Daytona Beach, Fla. (East Regional hosted by Central Florida Sports Commission and Stetson) and the Washington National Golf Club in Auburn, Washington (West Regional hosted by Washington).
The eight best-scoring teams out of the regional, as well as the two lowest-scoring individuals that are not members of an advancing team from each of the three regionals will qualify for the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship. The 2011 NCAA Championship will be held May 18-21, at the Traditions Club in Bryan, Texas.
This is the Notre Dame’s sixth trip to the NCAA Tournament and the fourth consecutive appearance.
In 2004 and 2005 the Irish received at-large berths and finished in 17th and 18th place, respectively. In 2007, Noriko Nakazaki competed individually and in 2008 the Irish earned an automatic bid as they won the 2008 BIG EAST Championship. In 2009, Notre Dame again earned an at-large bid and competed for 16th place for the second consecutive season.
During the 2010 season the Irish concluded the Central Regional in 17th place and Becca Huffer (Denver, Colo./Littleton) was the Irish top finisher as she claimed 16th place, which marks the best finish by a Notre Dame golfer.
Central Regional
Teams:
1. UCLA (2) 2. Duke (5)
3. LSU (8)
4. Arkansas (11)
5. Wake Forest (16)
6. Texas (20)
7. Tulane (14)
8. Stanford (24)
9. Notre Dame (25)
10. Ohio State (30)
11. Kent State (32)
12. Chattanooga (35)
13. Northwestern (40)
14. Minnesota (39)
15. UNLV (43)
16. Oklahoma State (48)
17. North Texas (45)
18. Wisconsin (56)
19. East Carolina (54)
20. Michigan (59)
21. Illinois (61)
22. Morehead State (90)
23. Illinois State (146)
24. Butler (158)
Individuals:
1. Harin Lee – St. John’s (120)
2. Lindsay Gahm – Indiana (122)
3. Bonnie Hu – Harvard (145)
4. Nina Muehl – Eastern Tennessee State (125)
5. Brittany Kelly – Ball State (132)
6. Britney Hamilton – Western Michigan (126)
(X) – Golfstat ranking
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