Final Team Results
Final Individual Results
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (Oct. 11, 2023) – Working its way up the leaderboard each day, the Northern Arizona University golf team finished sixth out of 16 teams at the Golf Iconic Classic at the NMSU Golf Couse (par-72, 6,420 yards) in Las Cruces, N.M. today.
As a team, the Lumberjacks shot a 287 (-1) in round one, a 288 (E) in round two, and a 289 (+1) in round three to end the tournament with 864 (E) strokes. The total is the second lowest of the season and ranks fourth all-time in program history for a 54-hole score. Just three tournaments into the year, it's the second new top-ten mark the Lumberjacks have claimed this season.
"We played steady and consistent golf this week. Shooting three rounds at par or better was very exciting for us to see. Our freshman
Amy Hodgkins brought home another top-ten finish and continues to play great golf," said head coach
Brad Bedortha.
Amy Hodgkins led the way for the Lumberjacks once again, tying for 10
th place with a total of 214 (-2) strokes. Hodgkins recorded a 71 (-1) today, marking her seventh-straight round at par or better. It is also the second top-ten finish of her young career. The true freshman recorded five birdies in the final round which is a career high.
Lizzie Neale placed 20
th, finishing strong with her best round of the tournament. Neale equaled her season low with 216 (E) strokes and shot a 70 (-2) today for her 14
th career round at par or better. It is the fifth top-20 finish of the sophomore's career.
Both sophomore
Ellena Slater and freshman
Frankie Dezis finished tied for 28
th with identical scores of 219 (+3). Each shot a 75 (+3) in the third and final round.
Competing as an individual, senior
Ekaterina Malakhova showed improvement each round and finished tied for 49
th after shooting a 223 (+7). Malakhova ended with a 73 (+1) today which is her best round so far this season.
Nina Lukyanenko, who is competing as an individual, tied with
Lorel Hayward for 66
th place with 227 (+11) strokes. Hayward shot a 73 (+1) today while Lukyanenko recorded a 79 (+7).
"
Lizzie Neale fought through illness and had a strong finish today, and we were proud of
Lorel Hayward who had a tough first day and fought back on the final two days.
Ellena Slater is also battling an illness and an injury, but she continued to battle and perform for us," added Bedortha. "
Frankie Dezis continues to persevere and shoot consistent scores, and
Ekaterina Malakhova finished the tournament with some good scores.
Nina Lukyanenko also fired off her career low on day one."
Long Beach State ran away with the team title, shooting an 841 (-23) to secure the victory. Nevada's Leah John won the individual title after shooting a 203 (-13). The Lumberjacks, who were the lone Big Sky team in the field, were just three strokes out of finishing in fourth place and nine strokes out of second.
"It was great to see some teams we never see and be able to compete with them at that level," concluded Bedortha. "We are excited to be hosting in Las Vegas again and have a strong finish to our Fall semester."
The Lumberjacks conclude the Fall portion of their season by hosting the Clash at Boulder Creek in Boulder City, Nev., at the Boulder Creek Golf Club from Sunday, Oct. 22 through Tuesday, Oct. 24.
Individual Results
T10.
Amy Hodgkins (71-72-71 = 214, -2)
T20.
Lizzie Neale (72-74-70 = 216, E)
T28. Ellena Slater (72-72-75 = 219, +3)
T28.
Frankie Dezis (72-72-75 = 219, +3)
T49.
Ekaterina Malakhova (76-74-73 = 223, +7) *
T66.
Nina Lukyanenko (71-77-79 = 227, +11) *
T66.
Lorel Hayward (82-72-73 = 227, +11)
*Competing as an individual
