Barry University women's golf team settled for second at the NCAA Division II Fall Preview at LPGA Legends Course in Daytona Beach Tuesday after rain cut the Bucs' season-opening event short.
The Buccaneers, who entered the season ranked No. 7 in the nation in the Golfweek poll, trailed Lynn after two rounds entering Tuesday's final scheduled 18 holes. Through nine holes in the final round, Barry still trailed Lynn at the turn before weather halted the tournament.
None of the nine holes from Tuesday's round counted. Barry finished second with a two-day total of 305-313 -- 618. Lynn won by 12 strokes.
"We're a little disappointed, not in the way we played, but just because we wanted an opportunity to have a chance to win the tournament," Bucs acting head coach Shannon Sykora said. "You can't compete with Mother Nature."
Barry freshman Nicky Ferre finished ninth at 8-over 152 on the par-72 course. Florida Tech's Rachel Polson shot a 1-over 72-73 -- 145 to win the medalist honor. Dallas Baptist's Sydney Williams was second at 146, and West Florida's Camila Sevillano and Florida Southern's Megan Kiley tied at 149. Three Lynn golfers, Irene Calvo, Ellen Chambers and Samantha Smolen, followed at 150, 150 and 151, respectively.
Buccaneers senior Taylor Babcock finished tied for 18th at 155, along with sophomore teammate Paola Grande. Sophomore Nancy Vergara was a stroke behind lumped in a tie for 24th. Freshman Maria Paola Fiorio tied for 42nd at 163.
Florida Tech finished third, three strokes behind the Bucs. Central Oklahoma was fourth and Florida Southern fifth on the course that will host the NCAA Division II National Championships in May.
"We got a great opportunity to see the course where we're hopefully going to be at nationals," Sykora said.
Barry will compete in the Nova Southeastern Shark Invitational Oct. 8-9 in Palm Beach Gardens at the LPGA National Golf Club.
