HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Arkansas Tech, the defending Great American Conference Womens’s Golf Champions, improved its team score by 10 shots from Sunday to move into first place after two rounds of the 2016 GAC Championships from Hot Springs Country Club. Southern Nazarene’s Marion Broedys recorded her second-straight round of 3-over-par 75 to hold a two-shot lead in the individual race.
Following an opening round that saw only one member of the Golden Suns break 80, all four scoring players shot in the 70s. Anna Frandsen, the GAC Player and Freshman of the Year, along with Pia Nunbhakdi and Caroline Fredensborg shot rounds of 76 to led the way. Avery Struck added a 79 as all five Golden Suns finished the day inside the top 13. Jessica Sachs, the first-round leader, shot an 80 to place fifth after the two rounds.
Broedys, an Honorable Mention All-GAC selection, played the back nine at even par for the second-straight day. She made a birdie on the par-4 14th hole to offset a bogey on No. 11. The Crimson Storm moved up a position to fourth place as a team.
SECOND ROUND RESULTS || PHOTO GALLERY || FINAL ROUND TEE TIMES
For the second consecutive day, Henderson State and Southwestern Oklahoma State shot matching scores. On Monday, scores of 312 left the Reddies and Lady Bulldogs three shots behind the Golden Suns. SWOSU freshman Gloria Choi, a First-Team All-GAC choice posted the lowest score through the opening two days, a 2-over 74, that vaulted her into a tie for second place. Erin Wahlin, a fellow member of the All-GAC First Team improved by a shot with a 4-over 76 to share fourth place.
The Reddies’ Christian Barrett continued to lead her squad as her second round 5-over 77, kept her in a tie for second place. Sarah Wright remained in the top 10 after shooting a 78 for the second straight day.
Arkansas-Monticello fell back one position to fifth place. Frida Rydberg finished the day in a tie for sixth place after her second 78. East Central improved by 12 shots from the first round to catch Southern Arkansas and tie the Lady Muleriders for sixth place. Madison Myers paced the Tigers with an 80. SAU’s Helle Leed remained the top 10 after second-round 80 left her in ninth place.
Harding and Northwestern Oklahoma State rounded out the team scoring. Taylor Hildebrand, from Oklahoma Baptist, moved into the top 20 as she shot a 79. The Bison’s Emma Williams made the biggest move up the leaderboard on Monday. Her second round 75 saw her move from 43rd place to 23rd.
The final round begins at 7:30 a.m. with golfers from Harding and Northwestern Oklahoma State teeing off first. Broedys tees off at 9:50 a.m. followed by the golfers from Arkansas Tech, SWOSU and Henderson State, starting at 10 a.m.