FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (April 2, 2022) – The Northern Arizona golf team begins a three-week sprint to the Big Sky Championship on Monday at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club (par-72, 6,191 yards) with the two-day Wyoming Cowgirl Classic. The Cowgirl Classic will feature 36 holes on Monday with continuous play following a 7:30 a.m. shotgun start. The final 18 holes will be played on Tuesday, also with a 7:30 a.m. shotgun start.
The Lumberjacks' trip to Maricopa, Ariz. will start a three-tournament in three-week stretch culminating with the 2022 Big Sky Championship. NAU last competed two weeks ago in Sedona, finishing second overall at its annual Red Rocks Invitational.
NAU, ranked No. 103 in this week's Golfstat National Rankings, was sensational during its home tournament as the Lumberjacks matched a 54-hole school record in relation to part at 7-over par 871 (284-296-291). The first round 4-under par 284 not only set a tournament record, but it was the third-lowest round in relation to par in school history.
The 'Jacks have now posted three rounds this season at par or better, including a school record 9-under par 279 at the Golfweek Red Sky Classic in September. Their current season stroke average of 298.10 would be a new school record as well should it hold throughout the remainder of the season.
With that, NAU carries momentum into the large 22-team Cowgirl Classic field, which includes four top 100 teams led by No. 76 Hawai'i. Beyond the four top 100 teams, NAU is five teams ranked between No. 101-120 and 11 teams in all in the top 130 in the country.
Leading the Lumberjacks will be senior
Elle Kocourkova, who is coming off her first career individual medalist win at the Red Rocks Invitational. Kocourkova, who earned Big Sky Women's Golfer of the Week honors following her performance, claimed the tournament win by shooting a career-best 5-under par 211 (68-73-70), which ranks as the second-best score in relation to part in school history.
Kocourkova's efforts lowered her season scoring average to a career-best 74.75, which is more than two strokes better than her average from a season ago. She will play in the top spot in the lineup followed by sophomore
Ekaterina Malakhova, who leads the team in scoring average at 74.30. Malakhova tied for seventh in Sedona at even-par 216 (71-73-72).
Occupying the third spot in the lineup after her best career performance is junior
Lorel Hayward. Hayward, averaging 77.78 per round, tied for 22nd at the Red Rocks Invitational at 6-over par 222 (73-78-71). Hayward set new career-bests in individual finish, score relation to par and low 54-hole score.
Senior
Ashley Croft matched Hayward in NAU's most recent tournament at 6-over par 222 (72-72-78), while senior
Aleksandra Chekalina played to 19-over par 235 (77-80-78). Croft and Chekalina are averaging rounds of 76.50 and 76.75 respectively this season.
The Wyoming Cowgirl Classic is one of NAU's annual tournaments having competed there in three of the last four years with the exception of in the spring of 2020 when the tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 'Jacks will be aiming for an improved performance from a year ago when they placed 11th out of 20 teams at 52-over par 916 (305-302-309).
Malakhova and Croft were the team's top two finishers last season with Malakhova tied for 31st at 10-over par 226 (76-72-78) and Croft one stroke behind in a tie for 39th at 11-over par 227 (79-74-74).
Live scoring will be available on
GolfStat.
To stay up to date with the NAU golf team, follow the Lumberjacks on
Twitter and
Instagram.
