April 10, 2007
CARMEL, Ind. - Junior Seul Ki Park tallied another even-par 72 to clinch a first-place finish and first career medalist title during Tuesday's final round of the weather-shortened Indiana Invitational at the 5,924-yard, par-72 Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Ind. Illinois followed up Monday's spring-low of 304 with a 305 during action today to finish third (609) out of a 17-team field that included eight Big Ten squads.
Park is Illinois' first individual medalist since junior Kristine Cook won the Illini Spring Classic in 2005. Prior to her victory today, Park's best finish wearing Orange and Blue had been second, honors she had received four times during her collegiate career. In addition, Park's round of 72 ties the low round for an Illini during the spring season.
Head coach Renee Slone was ecstatic about Park's victory and the third place team finish.
"Seul Ki played two absolutely rock-solid rounds of golf on the most challenging course we've played all year," said Slone. "She played smart, and if she made a mistake, she was able to get herself out of it. Experiences from earlier this season played a huge role in her success in his tournament."
Juniors Stephanie Mory (75-79=154) and Kristine Cook (76-80=156) followed Park tying for 22nd and 34th, respectively. Junior Casey Burden fired a spring-low 74 (83-74=157) to end action tied for 43rd. Junior Kristin Kallergis (81-83=164) finished tied for 73rd. Sophomore Kelsey O'Neal, playing as an individual, carded a career-low 83 on Monday, tallied an 85 today for a 36-hole total of 168 and a tie for 83rd. Fellow sophomore Nancy Featherstone, also playing as an individual, had a two day total of 171 (85-86), finishing 86th.
Junior Kristine Cook, who is a member of Crooked Stick, was able to provide vital information to the team during a walk through after practice rounds were cancelled due to in climate weather.
"She was able to provide us with a lot of information that helped with course management," said Slone. "The team was able to develop their own plans and stick to them, which obviously paid off."
Michigan took home the tournament title with a two-day total of 609. No. 23 Michigan State just edged out the Illini for second (606) and the Orange and Blue tabbed a 609 for third.
Michigan State's Rachel Meikle (74-73=147) and Notre Dame's Noriko Nakazaki (75-72=147) tied for 2nd to follow Park and round-out the top three.
The tournament, originally scheduled for 54 holes, was shortened to 36 holes due to unseasonably cold weather in the Midwest. The same cold weather caused the cancellation of the Illini Spring Classic just three days ago, which was to be held April 6-7.
"This was a big confidence booster for the girls heading into the tournament in Columbus," said Slone. "We have Ohio State and then Big Ten's, and hopefully we are starting to peak at just the right time."
The Illini can be caught in action next at the 2007 Lady Buckeye Invite hosted by Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, April 21-22.
Round One Team Scores
1. Michigan 308-295= 603
2. Michigan State 299-307= 606
3. ILLINOIS 304-305= 609
4. Oregon 314-296= 610
5. Notre Dame 310-302= 612
6. Northwestern 311-303= 614
T7. Texas 307-310= 617
T7. Western Michigan 313-304= 617
9. Indiana 312-311= 623
10. Iowa 318-306= 624
11. Minnesota 316-310= 626
12. Iowa State 318-311= 629
13. Kentucky 310-325= 635
14. Penn State 327-312= 639
T15. UNLV 323-320= 643
T15. Ball State 315-328= 623
17. Illinois State 322-325= 647
Illinois Round One Individual Scores
1. Seul Ki Park 72-72= 144
T22. Stephanie Mory 75-79= 154
T34. Kristine Cook 76-80= 156
T43. Casey Burden 83-74= 157
T73. Kristin Kallergis 81-83= 164
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T83. *Kelsey O'Neal 83-85= 168
86. *Nancy Featherstone 85-86= 171
*Playing as an individual and cannot count towards team score
