Monday, May 2
Stockton, Calif.
7:00 AM
California Baptist University
vs
NCAA Division II West Regional at Brookside Country Club
Wang Advances to Nationals
5/4/2016 4:23:00 PM | Women's Golf
RESULTS
STOCKTON, Calif. – Erica Wang's collegiate debut was one to behold for California Baptist University. The true freshman had an encore in her playoff debut for the Lancers at the NCAA Division II Super Region IV Tournament on Wednesday, as she qualified for the national championships as an individual.
Wang tied for third on the individual standings at the Brookside Country Club, with a two-under-par 70 on the day. The Corona, Calif., native jumped eight spots up the board and finished with an even-par 216 total over three rounds (75-71-70).
She advanced to the national tournament as an individual by being a top-three individual player on a non-qualified team, and was actually the top finisher not on a qualified team.
"I did not think about qualifying as an individual at all," Wang said. "I was just thinking about qualifying as a team and doing my best so we would have a chance to all advance together."
CBU just missed on advancing as an entire group and finished in fifth place, with an 895 (301-294-300). The Lancers were just five strokes off the top-three finish that would have clinched their spot at the Division II Championships, which will be held May 18-21 at Common Ground Golf Course in Aurora, Colo.
"The ladies still had an outstanding season, winning the PacWest title for the second straight year by a landslide and ranking among the nation's best from start to finish," Coach John Hackney said, "so they have a lot to be proud of, and we have a great nucleus to build around as we head into next season."
Although Wang set a new single-round scoring record in her collegiate debut with a 67 earlier this year, Wednesday would have to be her finest performance yet given the meaning. She recorded three birdies at holes No. 2, 11 and 16 and bogeyed just once at three.
"Erica finished off another outstanding tournament by playing solid golf all day," Hackney said. "Holes 16, 17 and 18 are three of the course's toughest holes and she played them one-under. She had a great attitude and showed a lot of heart out there. Her game has really matured and we are looking forward to seeing what she does at nationals."
"I just didn't get in too much trouble today," Wang said. "The first day, I got in a lot of trouble and found myself in places I didn't want to be. Today I really minimized that. My driver wasn't the best but it didn't hurt me, and I made some putts unlike the last two days. I had a few lucky ones here and there."
It's debatable how much luck was at play for Wang, who adds yet another stunning achievement to her resume as a freshman. Two weeks ago exactly, she won the conference's individual championship on a one-hole playoff and went on to be named the PacWest Freshman of the Year.
"I didn't think any of this would actually happen, so I feel very lucky and blessed," Wang said. "This year has blown by very fast and I am sad it is almost over now."
Natalie Park turned in her finest round of the week on Wednesday, with a two-over 74. Marvi Monsalve and Laura Scrivner both carded 78s to complete the scoring for the Lancers for a 300 on the day.
"Natalie really played some steady golf, rattling off 14 pars to start her round and finishing at 2-over, which was nice to see," Hackney said.
Monsalve and Scrivner finished a stroke within each other, with a 225 (73-74-78) and 226 (74-74-78), respectively. They finished 23rd and 25th on the leaderboard, as a result. Park finished 47th with a 234 (79-81-74).
Wang gives CBU a representative at the Division II Championships for the second time in the three years the team has been a fully-fledged member. Tina Yang qualified and took 10th in the Lancers' debut season of eligibility in 2014.
Not that it appears to be much of a problem, but Wang will look to stay humble but ready for the Division II Championships in two weeks.
"My focus is to just keep working on my golf game and keeping a level head, gaining confidence and staying positive," Wang said.
STOCKTON, Calif. – Erica Wang's collegiate debut was one to behold for California Baptist University. The true freshman had an encore in her playoff debut for the Lancers at the NCAA Division II Super Region IV Tournament on Wednesday, as she qualified for the national championships as an individual.
Wang tied for third on the individual standings at the Brookside Country Club, with a two-under-par 70 on the day. The Corona, Calif., native jumped eight spots up the board and finished with an even-par 216 total over three rounds (75-71-70).
She advanced to the national tournament as an individual by being a top-three individual player on a non-qualified team, and was actually the top finisher not on a qualified team.
"I did not think about qualifying as an individual at all," Wang said. "I was just thinking about qualifying as a team and doing my best so we would have a chance to all advance together."
CBU just missed on advancing as an entire group and finished in fifth place, with an 895 (301-294-300). The Lancers were just five strokes off the top-three finish that would have clinched their spot at the Division II Championships, which will be held May 18-21 at Common Ground Golf Course in Aurora, Colo.
"The ladies still had an outstanding season, winning the PacWest title for the second straight year by a landslide and ranking among the nation's best from start to finish," Coach John Hackney said, "so they have a lot to be proud of, and we have a great nucleus to build around as we head into next season."
Although Wang set a new single-round scoring record in her collegiate debut with a 67 earlier this year, Wednesday would have to be her finest performance yet given the meaning. She recorded three birdies at holes No. 2, 11 and 16 and bogeyed just once at three.
"Erica finished off another outstanding tournament by playing solid golf all day," Hackney said. "Holes 16, 17 and 18 are three of the course's toughest holes and she played them one-under. She had a great attitude and showed a lot of heart out there. Her game has really matured and we are looking forward to seeing what she does at nationals."
"I just didn't get in too much trouble today," Wang said. "The first day, I got in a lot of trouble and found myself in places I didn't want to be. Today I really minimized that. My driver wasn't the best but it didn't hurt me, and I made some putts unlike the last two days. I had a few lucky ones here and there."
It's debatable how much luck was at play for Wang, who adds yet another stunning achievement to her resume as a freshman. Two weeks ago exactly, she won the conference's individual championship on a one-hole playoff and went on to be named the PacWest Freshman of the Year.
"I didn't think any of this would actually happen, so I feel very lucky and blessed," Wang said. "This year has blown by very fast and I am sad it is almost over now."
Natalie Park turned in her finest round of the week on Wednesday, with a two-over 74. Marvi Monsalve and Laura Scrivner both carded 78s to complete the scoring for the Lancers for a 300 on the day.
"Natalie really played some steady golf, rattling off 14 pars to start her round and finishing at 2-over, which was nice to see," Hackney said.
Monsalve and Scrivner finished a stroke within each other, with a 225 (73-74-78) and 226 (74-74-78), respectively. They finished 23rd and 25th on the leaderboard, as a result. Park finished 47th with a 234 (79-81-74).
Wang gives CBU a representative at the Division II Championships for the second time in the three years the team has been a fully-fledged member. Tina Yang qualified and took 10th in the Lancers' debut season of eligibility in 2014.
Not that it appears to be much of a problem, but Wang will look to stay humble but ready for the Division II Championships in two weeks.
"My focus is to just keep working on my golf game and keeping a level head, gaining confidence and staying positive," Wang said.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Golf
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