Warhawks Ellie Johnson and
Kallie Lux (Janesville, Wis./Craig) represented the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's golf team in the final round of competition in the NCAA Division III Championship at El Campeon Golf Course at Mission Inn Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida Friday.
Mother Nature had an impact throughout the week in Florida as play was halted on multiple occasions forcing one round to be continued to another day due to darkness. The initially scheduled third round was canceled due to an unplayable course after the NCAA committee determined the pin location on Hole 6 was too severe Thursday. The committee kept the same team cutline - 15 - but increased the number individuals that would compete in the final round from six to 12.
Johnson and Lux advanced to the final round as individuals representing UWW Friday. Both Johnson and Lux tied for 66th at the championship. Lux carded an 85 Friday for a three-round total of 250 (81-84-85). Johnson's total of 250 included a pair of 81s Wednesday and Thursday followed by an 88 in the final round Friday.
George Fox won the team title while Annie Mascot of Washington University in St. Louis claimed the individual crown.
THURSDAY RECAP
Weather continued to play a factor at the 2023 NCAA Division III Golf Championships Thursday in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida. After round two was unable to be finished Wednesday, more inclement weather mixed with an unplayable hole caused the NCAA committee to scrap the third round ending UW-Whitewater's team journey at the championships. Ellie Johnson and
Kallie Lux (Janesville, Wis./Craig) qualified for the final round individually and will be back on the course tomorrow.
The NCAA Committee sent word Thursday evening that round three would officially be canceled "onn the grounds of an unplayable hole for the entire tournament field." The release added, "it became apparent that the pin placement on Hole 6 was too severe for play." With round three canceled, the championship concluded as a 54-hole tournament with the final round seeded off of round two. The top 15 teams following round two. Initially, only the top six individuals not included in those 15 teams would also advance. However, the committee elected to advance six additional, a total of 12, individuals to the final round.
The Warhawks held 18th after the second round of play carding a 342 on day one before cutting eight strokes for a 334 on day two. Johnson and Lux led UWW with 81s on day one. Johnson followed with an 81 in round two while Lux posted an 84.
Ashton Sinak (St. Louis, Mo./Visitation Academy) posted rounds of 89 and 87 while
Lily Sheppard (Sherwood, Wis./Kaukauna) dropped six strokes off her round total for an 85 Wednesday.
Madi LaPaz (Oconomowoc, Wis./Oconomowoc) rounded out the group carding an 84 in round two, a nine-stroke improvement from round one.
Johnson and Lux were tied for 34th and 57th on the individual leaderboard and will advance to the final round of play Friday as individuals.
Lux, +19, will tee off on hole 10 at 9:40. Johnson, +16, will tee off on the same hole at 10 a.m.
WEDNESDAY RECAP
The second round of the NCAA Division III Women's Golf Championships at El Campeon Golf Course in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida was suspended due to darkness. Following a two-hour weather delay Wednesday afternoon, six teams had yet to finish their rounds when play was suspended. Competition will resume with the completion of round two at 6:45 a.m. followed by round three.
The Warhawks were able to complete round two coming in with a team total of 334. UWW is 18th in the 29-team field with the majority of round two scores posted.
TUESDAY RECAP
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's golf team opened competition in the 2023 NCAA Championship at El Campeon Golf Course at Mission Inn Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida Tuesday afternoon. The Warhawks are 18th in the 29-team field after the first day.
After 54 holes, the competition field will be cut to the top 15 teams for the final day on the course.
Ellie Johnson and
Kallie Lux (Janesville, Wis./Craig) carded identical 81s Tuesday to lead the Warhawks.
Ashton Sinak (St. Louis, Mo./Visitation Academy) is among the top 100 individually with an 89.
Lily Sheppard (Sherwood, Wis./Kaukauna) (91) and Madison LaPaz (93) round out UW-Whitewater's competing fivesome.
UWW will be back on the links beginning at 8:10 tomorrow morning. The Warhawks, paired with Trinity University and Otterbein, will be starting the day on hole 10.
The championship is slated to run through May 13.
