FAIRFAX, Calif. (March 10, 2020) – After a strong first day that landed them in eighth-place, the Northern Arizona golf team fell three spots to an 11th place finish at the Juli Inkster at Meadow Club Invitational. The Lumberjacks carded a final round 310 to close at 43-over par 907 (303-294-310).
Despite the final round, the Lumberjacks still finished ahead of two teams ranked above them including 89th-ranked Gonzaga. The Lumberjacks were also just three strokes behind Minnesota, who resides just outside the top 100 nationally.
Oregon State, the top-ranked team in the field at No. 31, posted the best round of any team in the tournament on Tuesday of four-under par 284 to win the July Inkster at Meadow Club Invitational. The Beavers were a full six strokes ahead of Washington State. A pair of Washington State golfers – Marie Lund-Hansen and Amy Chu – shared medalist honors at two-under par 214.
The Lumberjacks were paced by sophomore
Elle Kocourkova, who tied for 23rd overall at eight-over par 224 (71-74-79). Kocourkova entered the day tied for eighth on the individual leaderboard, but recorded a seven-over par 79 in the final round.
Sophomore
Ashley Croft recorded NAU's low round of the day with a two-over par 74, which moved her up 10 spots to a tie for 35th on the final leaderboard. Croft finished the tournament at 11-over par 227 (73-80-74). Both Kocourkova and Croft recorded six birdies each over the last two days.
Senior
Emma Reyes led the 'Jacks with seven total birdies and was NAU's third-highest finisher. Her 16-over par 232 (83-71-78) landed her in sole possession of 51st. Sophomore
Aleksandra Chekalina and freshman
Alyza Flores rounded out the Lumberjacks' lineup in ties for 54th and 62nd respectively.
Chekalina finished at 18-over par 234 (76-74-84) and Flores was at 21-over par 237 (83-75-79).
NAU will now prep for its home tournament, the Red Rocks Invitational, beginning Saturday, March 21 and continuing on Sunday, March 22. The Lumberjacks' home tournament will be held at Oakcreek Country Club in Sedona, Ariz.
Full Team Leaderboard
1. Oregon State – 291-296-284 = 871 (+7)
2. Washington State – 293-289-295 = 877 (+13)
3. Washington – 290-299-292 = 881 (+17)
4. California – 294-289-299 = 882 (+18)
5. San Jose State – 298-294-299 = 891 (+27)
6. Pepperdine – 299-297-296 = 892 (+28)
T7. Rutgers – 299-303-291 – 893 (+29)
T7. San Francisco – 292-295-306 = 893 (+29)
9. Kansas State – 302-296-297 = 895 (+31)
10. Minnesota – 304-297-303 = 904 (+40)
11. Northern Arizona – 303-294-310 = 907 (+43)
12. Colorado State – 301-308-305 = 914 (+50)
13. Gonzaga – 304-308-306 = 918 (+54)
NAU Individual Scores
T23.
Elle Kocourkova – 71-74-79 = 224 (+8)
T35.
Ashley Croft – 73-80-74 = 227 (+11)
51.
Emma Reyes – 83-71-78 = 232 (+16)
T54.
Aleksandra Chekalina – 76-74-84 = 234 (+18)
T62.
Alyza Flores – 83-75-79 = 237 (+21)
