Oct. 18, 2011
Led by junior Beth Buchner’s career-low round of 69, the New Mexico women’s golf team finished in fifth place at the Susie Berning Maxwell Classic in Norman, Okla.
Playing on a cold and blustery day at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club course (par 72, 6,327 yards), UNM tied host and winner Oklahoma for the second-lowest score (300) among the 17 teams today to finish at 23-over 887 (289-298-300).
The Lobos finished nine shots behind OU (878). The Sooners edged Texas Tech (879) by one shot. Second-round leader Texas A&M shot a 24-over 312 in the final round and dropped into a tie for third place with Florida State at 883.
Buchner, who started the day in a tie for 22nd, vaulted into a tie for third (217) after a round that featured four birdies (1, 2, 8 and 13) and just one bogey. Her previous low 18 was a 71 at the 2010 Ptarmigan Ram Fall Classic in Fort Collins, Colo. Buchner also recorded personal bests for best score in relation to par (+1), low 54-hole total (74-74-69=217) and best finish (tie for 3rd).
Buchner’s performance was particularly impressive considering the average score of the 90-player field in the final round was 78.43.
As a team, UNM was 10-over after its first nine holes today, but lost just one shot over the final nine. A shotgun format was used for the final round.
“Beth was tremendous today, especially in some challenging conditions,” said head coach Jill Trujillo. “We had a rocky start, but I like the way we held it together. I can see improvement.”
Sophomore Sofia Hoglund fell to a 78 today and ended in a tie for 10th place at 5-over 221 (70-73-78). A double bogey on her first hole began a rocky day for the Branch Law Firm Dick McGuire winner.
Senior Rebecca Hellbom tied for 12th at 222 (71-74-77). She was 2-over after 12 holes, but dropped three shots on the final six holes to finish with a 77.
Sophomore Manon De Roey finished in a tie for 36th at 13-over 229 (74-79-76). She navigated the final nine holes in 1-under after playing the first nine in 5-over.
Sophomore Sammi Stevens shot 78 to end at 231 (76-77-78) and tie for 45th.
Oklahoma’s Anne Tanguay won the individual title by three shots at 6-under 210 (72-67-71).
The Lobos complete their fall season Oct. 31-Nov. 2 at the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational in Austin, Texas.