MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Barry University's No. 5-ranked women's golf team will compete in the NCAA Division II South Regional Sunday-Tuesday at the par 72, 6,149-yard Lone Palm Golf Club in Lakeland, Fla.
Sunday's tee times begin at 8 a.m.
Barry will compete with host Florida Southern, Nova Southeastern, Lynn, Rollins, Florida Tech, West Florida, Armstrong Atlantic and Newberry for one of three spots to advance to the NCAA Championships. Last year, the Buccaneers qualified for nationals for the second time in school history.
"I think they're definitely excited," Barry coach Shannon Sykora said. "They'll be able to play this tournament without having to worry about school work. Once school and the end-of-semester obligations are over with, going into the tournament helps the girls focus more completely on their golf game."
Senior Taylor Babcock, sophomores Nancy Vergara and Daniela Murray and freshmen Nicky Ferre and Maria Paola Fiorio will try to send the Buccaneers to back-to-back national tournaments. This year's NCAA Championships will be held May 15-18 at LPGA Legends Course in Daytona Beach, Fla., where the Buccaneers have played twice already this season.
Babcock is coming off a fourth-place individual finish at the Sunshine State Conference Championships after shooting 74-73-78 -- 225. Murray tied for eighth after shooting 79-76-73 -- 228.
"This is what we practice for all year," Sykora said. "I think they're ready for this. I think we've prepared well for this type of pressure. Working toward this tournament, I think we're ready to play our best golf."