Arkansas women’s record-setting golf season ends

STILLWATER, Okla. — Arkansas was unable to recover Sunday and Monday from a poor start to the 2018 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship.

The second-ranked Razorbacks made the first cut to 15 teams on Sunday and played to a 1-over 289 in Monday’s round. The total was the second-best score of the day, but the team fell one shot shy of moving on.

Arkansas left the Karsten Creek Golf Club one shot back of the No. 8 spot, trailing Baylor who notched several birdies in the final four holes. The Razorbacks still had a chance to advance with several teams out on the course, including Kent State, which was two shots above the cut. Kent State hung on to the advantage to eliminate Arkansas.

“It definitely stings,” said Arkansas coach Shauna Taylor. “You hit 1,100-plus shots and it comes down to one. I talk a lot about the power of one in our sport and it all matters.

“Unfortunately, we fell on the wrong side of one this week. We dug ourselves a deep ditch on day one but played amazing golf the last two days.”

The Razorbacks finished one shot back of both Baylor and Arizona State, who competed in a playoff to break the tie for the eighth spot. Arkansas shot 308-300-289-289 for a four-day total of 1,186.

The two scores of 289 set the program record at the NCAA Championship. The team total is Arkansas’ second-best score at the event.

Arkansas had three players shoot under par in the final round, paced by junior Kaylee Benton, who counted the low round of the day with a 2-under 70 on Monday. Benton had four birdies and two bogeys in her round and finished tied for 36th overall with a 295,

77–76–72–70.

Junior Dylan Kim was the Razorbacks’ best finisher with a tie for 21st overall. Kim counted all four rounds toward the team total, scoring a 292, 72–73–75–72.

Senior Alana Uriell is one of two players to graduate for the Razorbacks this season. She finished tied for 33rd and helped Arkansas reach the NCAA Championship in three of her four seasons. She ended her career shooting 294, 78–74–69–73.

Junior Maria Fassi wrapped up the tournament 66th overall with a 307, 81–78–73–75, and Cara Gorlei was 81st, shooting 318,

86–77–81–74.

This year’s team won a program record seven titles, the program’s

first Southeastern Conference championship and the program’s first NCAA regional title.

Fassi was announced on Tuesday as a selection to the Women’s Golf Coaches Association First-Team All-American the organization announced today. The honor is her second WGCA recognition following up on her honorable mention as a freshman in 2016.

Fassi is one of six Razorbacks to earn All-America honors and her selection is the 15th in program history. It is the ninth firstteam selection.

The Pachuca, Mexico, native won six individual titles and tied for the individual win at the SEC Championship falling in a twohole playoff. She won the program’s first individual regional title and is only the second player in program history to win four or more events in a single season, joining former Razorback Stacy Lewis with that distinction.

Fassi leads the Razorbacks with a school record 70.5 stroke average and carded a school record 25 rounds of par or better. She scored 12 rounds in the 60s and counted a season- and career-best 64 twice this year, the second-best round score in program history.

The criteria used to determine the WGCA All-American Teams include head-to-head competition, common opponents, scoring average, place finishes, wins and strength of schedule. The Second Team and honorable mentions will be announced later in the NCAA Championship.

Fassi was previously named the SEC Women’s Golf Player of the Year.

“You have to remember the good stuff,” Taylor said. “We had a school record seven wins and fought hard all year.

“We talk about leaving a legacy and this group definitely left their mark on Arkansas golf. This team has left their mark on our program and on my life and I’m proud to have coached them.”