May 18, 2007

SAN MARCOS, Calif. - Two-time defending champion Oklahoma City held off a furious charge over the final three rounds from Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) to claim its unprecedented third straight national title winning the 2007 NAIA Women's Golf National Championship Friday afternoon. The 23-team tournament was played at the Lake San Marcos Country Club.

The Stars, who sat atop the leader board from start to finish, posted a 72-hole score of 1237, finishing 18 strokes ahead of the Blue Raiders (1255). The margin of victory is the slimmest since British Columbia defeated Oklahoma City by 5 strokes (1249-1254) at the LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla., in 2004. Last year, OCU won by 34 (1215-1249) and then won by 49 strokes (1226-1275) in 2005.

Lindsey Wilson sat in tenth place after a 325 in the opening round but began a steady climb up the leader board from there. LWC trailed by 12 strokes entering the day and trimmed the deficit to ten at the turn, but OCU, which returned four players from last year's national title team, played the challenging back nine at ten-over to hold off the charge.

All four Stars that scored played under 80 in the final round. Tamara Campbell led the way with a 75 (37-38). Syndey Cox finished with a 76 (35-41).Christina Cung, who finished tied for fourth overall, carded a 77 (39-38), and last year's individual medalist Ashley Sholer chipped in with a 78 (37-41). Tony Pyrum, who shot an even-par 72 yesterday, finished with an 83 (38-45) today.

"This one feels really good," said Oklahoma City head coach Sara Mobley, who named NAIA Coach of the Year for the second straight year. "We have been very balanced all year, and when one girl may have a bad day, someone else is right there to pick up the slack. We had our nervous moments this week, but have learned to never underestimate our opponents. Even though we had a decent lead coming into today, anything can happen, but our girls really stepped it up today to close it out."

It is the first-ever top ten finish for Lindsey Wilson. The Blue Raiders finished 11th last year and 14th in 2005, their only two previous national tournament appearances. British Columbia finished third with a 1257 (314-310-324-309). Embry-Riddle (Fla.) was fourth with a 1268 (324-320-316-308), and Rocky Mountain (Mont.) rounded out the top five with a 1269 (321-310-326-312).

Freshman Krista Burton of Lindsey Wilson shot a two-over 74 today to win the individual title with a 4-round total of 295 (74-74-73-74), snapping a string of two straight individual titles won by Oklahoma City. Burton, who was just two strokes shy of tying the NAIA Tournament scoring record, caps a year in which she finished with individual titles in her last seven tournaments of the year.

Shanna Page of Bethel (Ind.) finished second with a 299 (72-75-75-77). Angela Gauck of Marian (Ind.) finished third with a 305 (79-74-75-77). Cung (78-74-80-77) and Jennifer Butler of Southern Nazarene (Okla.) (75-77-75-81) tied for fourth with 309.

The 72-hole tournament was hosted by Cal State San Marcos and the San Diego International Sports Council. It was the first time that the women's golf national tournament was played west of the Mississippi River.

All-Tournament Team
Tara Allen, Embry-Riddle (Fla.)
Kara Ballinger, Bethel (Ind.)
Krista Burton, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)
Jennifer Butler, Southern Nazarene (Okla.)
Tamara Campbell, Oklahoma City
Hallie Cochran, Savannah College Art & Design (Ga.)
Sydney Cox, Oklahoma City
Christina Cung, Oklahoma City
Albane Flamant, Embry-Riddle (Fla.)
Angela Gauck, Marian (Ind.)
Elizabeth Gemmill, Berry (Ga.)
Shanna Page, Bethel (Ind.)
Megan Rice, Mobile (Ala.)
Ellyse Siu, Cal State-San Marcos
Kaitlin Troop, British Columbia

Character Act Award Winners
Lisa Schmidt, Concordia (Ore.)
Ivy Koehler, Northwood (Texas)
Sara Durkee, Tiffin (Ohio)
Shanna Page, Bethel (Ind.)