CHARLOTTE, N.C.— The Barry Buccaneers lead the 12th annual J. Ralph Hargett Memorial Intercollegiate women’s golf tournament following a first-round 307 on Monday at the Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation (par 72, 5823 yards).
Queens University of Charlotte is second at 314. Carson Newman and Columbus State are tied for third at 319, while Flagler and Florida Tech, tied for fifth at 321, round out the top five.
Barry freshman Daniela Murray and Queens (N.C.) junior Laura Belanger share the first-round lead with a two-over-par 74.
"I think it was one of our best all-around days as a team," Bucs coach Gina Umeck said. "Daniella really stepped forward with a 74."
Fellow Buccaneer freshman Nancy Vergara is tied for seventh at 77, while senior Lizzi Over and freshman Paola Grande are a shot back at 78 and tied for 11th. Taylor Babcock’s 79 has her tied for 18th in the 89-player field.
"Everybody had a rough first round," Umeck said. "They were able to manage themselves, and turn it around on the back nine. When your whole squad is within four shots of each other ... our entire team is capable of medalling at any tournament. It's a tighter squad. Our results are tighter."
The two-day event concludes Tuesday with the final round.
"We don't change what we're doing," Umeck said. "(Playing in front) doesn't really change our process."
DAY TWO
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Barry University Buccaneers captured their first win of the 2012 spring season besting a field of 17 teams at the 12th annual J. Ralph Hargett Memorial Intercollegiate women’s golf tournament. The Bucs shot a combined 318 on the second day for a final score of 625, (+49), 14 strokes ahead of second place Columbus State.
Daniela Murray followed a first round 74 with a 79 in the second round. Her 153 total score was good for +9 and a second place finish. Murray, a freshman from Sao Paulo, Brazil, earned her first career top-ten finish.
Nancy Vergara finished the tournament with another round of 77 and finished in a tie for third at +10 just two strokes back of the leader, UNC-Pembroke’s Meghan Moore.
"Going into the final round as leaders in the clubhouse always puts a target on your back, regardless of the strength of field," Bucs coach Gina Umeck said. "There is a self-imposed pressure to prove that you can play well a second day, and of course the pressure from the rest of the field who have nothing to lose. We did an excellent job in this leading position today. It takes a while to learn how to lead and then close that lead. This is a huge positive going into conference, regionals and nationals."
Taylor Babcock fired a final round 78 en route to a tenth place finish. Paola Grande finished in a tie for 21st, while Lizzi Over also finished in the top 30 of an 89-player field.
Murray and Vergara were both named to the All-Tournament team for their top-five finishes.
"Daniella's poise and confidence has been instrumental for her and the team as a whole," Umeck said. "Nancy and Taylor's performances need to be recognized here also. Winning like this -- late in the season -- is incredibly important to us because it kickstarts the heartbeat, so to say, at a very important time with postseason approaching. We couldn't be happier as a team."
The Buccaneers will next hit the links on Apr. 6-7 when they’ll face off against SSC foes Lynn and Florida Tech in a tri-match at Parkland Golf and Country Club in Coral Springs, Fla.