Final Results
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (May 8, 2024) – Northern Arizona University women's golfer
Lizzie Neale concluded play at NCAA Regionals today, capping off a successful sophomore season with the Lumberjacks. Neale advanced to the regional round of the NCAA Championships after winning the Big Sky Conference individual title in April and had been in action for three rounds over three days at the Spanish Trail Country Club (par-72, 6,665 yards) in Las Vegas, Nev.
The Nelson, New Zealand native finished 49
th overall after shooting a 230 (+14) over 54 holes. Neale shot a 76 (+4) in round one and a 73 (+1) in round two before carding an 81 (+9) in today's final round.
"I am extremely proud of the year that Lizzie has had. First, she's a wonderful young lady and has grown so much as a person. Her golf game speaks for itself, today was a struggle, it was very windy and she didn't perform the way she did the first couple of rounds," said head coach
Brad Bedortha. "Overall, it was a wonderful experience for her, I am sure that she will learn and grow from this event. Thankfully, we have two more years of her competing for the Lumberjacks and the future is very bright for her, and our program."
The top five teams in Arkansas, Purdue, Baylor, UCLA, and Florida State advanced to the national championships from May 17-22. Kent State's Veronika Kedronova was the lone individual to advance.
Neale won NAU's second individual title in the last three years on April 17 at The Wigwam Golf Club in Litchfield, Ariz. In the final round, she set a program and Big Sky Conference record after shooting a 64 (-7) with eight birdies on the day, six of which came on the back nine. She entered the day two strokes out of first place and won the title by four strokes, shooting a 203 (-10) for another program and conference record. Neale shot a 71 (E) in the first round and a 68 (-3) in the second to help the Lumberjacks finish second overall as a team.
She earned a spot on the All-Big Sky first team this season after earning second team honors as a freshman. Neale led the team in scoring average this season with 71.77. She earned seven top-20 finishes including three in the top-five. She recorded four rounds in the sixties and 16 of her 30 rounds played were at par or better.
