Michigan
Wolverine Invitational (Day 2)
Bauer's 68 Leads U-M to Wolverine Invite Title
9/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich.
Course: U-M Golf Course (par 71,6,098 yards)
Tournament: Wolverine Invitational
U-M Standing: 1st Place of 13 Teams (293)
Top U-M Individual: Ashley Bauer, 1st (68)
Next Event: Sat-Sun., Sept. 20-21 -- at Mary Fossum Invitational (East Lansing, Mich.)
• Complete Results | Notes & Quotes | Photo Gallery
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Hurricane Ike's rains held off just long enough for junior Ashley Bauer (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc HS) to shoot a school-record-tying three-under 68 as the University of Michigan women's golf team posted an 18-hole total of293 to win the weather-shortened Wolverine Invitational today (Sept. 14) at the U-M Golf Course.
As rain was expected throughout the weekend, the Wolverines only home event of the season got off to an ominous start. With drizzling rain falling in the first round, players were able to complete just three holes before the skies opened up, pouring on the U-M Golf Course. With conditions worsening, players were called off the course, and after a two-hour delay, play was eventually called, canceling the first two rounds.
Rains continued to fall overnight but cleared in the early morning hours as the course dried for Sunday's final round. With overcast and muggy weather, play resumed with a one-round shootout for the title early Sunday morning. Just before the skies opened back up, the Maize and Blue used its home-course knowledge to post an 11-stroke victory with a 293 team total. Minnesota closed in second at 304 and Eastern Michigan finished third at 305.
Bauer was able to capitalize on the conditions as she stuck 10 approach shots within eight feet of the pin to fire a U-M record-tying and career-best three-under 68 to win medalist honors for the first time in her career. Starting on No. 1, she bogeyed No. 3, before closing with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 8 and 9 to make the turn one-under. Continuing her pace, she posted birdies on No. 11 and 14 to close the back nine two-under to help give her the career-best total. It marks the fifth time a U-M player has posted a round of 68.
In addition to Bauer's play, senior Lydia Benitez Colon (Dorado, Puerto Rico/Pendleton School) fired a two-over 73 to tie for fourth and aid in the Wolverines' effort to win their eighth team title in tournament history. Freshman Milena Savich (Carmel, Ind./Carmel HS) posted a 75 in her collegiate debut to tie for ninth, while sophomore Louisa Shu (West Bloomfield, Mich./Birmingham Seaholm HS) tied for 18th with a 77 and sophomore Min Yean Tan (Queensland, Australia/Hills International College) tied for 39th with an 80, rounding out the U-M starters scoring.
In addition to the starters, Michigan had five individuals competing as the home event. Junior Andrea Ratigan (Tucson, Ariz./Sabino HS) led the way tying for sixth with a three-over 74, while sophomore Katelin Davis (Dexter, Mich./Dexter HS) posted a career-best 76 to tie for 13th. Freshman Meagan Bauer (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc HS) also tied for 13th with a 76 in her U-M debut and freshman Brooke Bettis (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North HS) tied for 46th with an 81 in her first career event. After making the team during walk-on tryouts, sophomore Jenn Cleary (East Lansing, Mich./East Lansing HS) tied for 65th with an 84.
With the first tournament in the books, the Wolverines will head west across I-96 to East Lansing, Mich., Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20-21, for the 2008 Mary Fossum Invitational at Forest Akers Golf Course. The 54-hole event will be held on the West Course.
Team Standings
1. MICHIGAN 293 (+9)
2. Minnesota 304
3. Eastern Michigan 305
4. Illinois State 307
5. Toledo 316
6. Kennesaw State 317
7. Ferris State 318
8. Southern Methodist 319
9. Eastern Kentucky 320
10. Detroit-Mercy 321
Indiana State 321
12. Bucknell 324
13. Oakland 326
Top Individuals
1. Ashley Bauer, U-M 68 (-3) 2. Kelli Berns, Minnesota 71 3. Stephany Fleet, EMU 72 4. Lydia Benitez Colon, U-M 73 Kate Ackerson, SMU 73 6. Andrea Ratigan, U-M 74* Laura Harris, Illinois State 74 Teresa Puga, Minnesota 74 9. Milena Savich, U-M 75 Austin McDermaid, Oakland 75 Breanne Smith, Indiana State 75 Sarah Dodson, SMU 75
Other Michigan Individuals
T18. Louisa Shu 77 T39. Min Yean Tan 80 T13. Katelin Davis 76* T13. Meagan Bauer 76* T46. Brooke Bettis 81* T65. Jenn Cleary 86*
* played as individual
Players Mentioned
