The Gators looked like they were off to a good start. Entering the NCAA Championships, they had already claimed two more top-five finishes than last year, as well as having a team average of 296.70, which ranked them as the third-best average in school history.
Even their postseason run was looking better. They finished in fourth place at both the Southeastern Conference Championship and the NCAA East Regional. This was a huge improvement from last year’s ninth and seventh finishes at those events.
However, when it came to the NCAA Championships, Florida couldn’t keep the momentum going and finished at tied for 12th.
“The team came into the tournament hoping to do big things, and we didn't quite bring our A games all four days.” coach Jan Dowling said. “The girls gained invaluable experience playing in their second national championship in a row and to be somewhat in the mix is a great experience. Posting good numbers on this tough of a golf course is an accomplishment.”
Although the team had a low round of 293 (+5) during the second day, they turned rounds of 297 (+9) and 298 (+10) in the last two days, which only allowed them to move up three spots.
Despite the tough finish, junior Isabelle Lendl had two solid rounds shooting a 73 (+1) and 66 (-6) on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Lendl was able to use an eagle and five birdies against one bogey in Friday’s round of 66, which tied for the lowest round of the tournament.
“She is a wonderful example of persistence and hard work. I can’t be more proud of her playing the way she did the last two days, really, and particularly today,” Dowling said. “She works her butt off and we believe in her. You have to be doing a lot of really good things to shoot a 66. She should be very proud and I think this will catapult her into a great summer and a great senior year.”
Despite ending the season with a tournament where Florida didn’t break the top 10 and no individuals finished in the top 25, Dowling is looking forward to the future of the women’s golf program.
“This is a stepping stone to becoming a team that is consistently contending for national championships,” Dowling explained. “We finished twelfth while not playing our best and I think that’s a testament to the team and their hard work and we’re looking forward to next year already. Our players are building this into a great program and the future is bright.”
Contact Katie Agostin at kagostin@alligator.org.
