May 25, 2012
Results | 
Photos | 
Coach Allen | Alex | Stratton | 
Devoted Grad Plays Big Role
Alabama Wins Title | Alabama Presser | Southern Cal Presser | Oklahoma Medalist
2012 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS Vanderbilt Legends Club – Franklin, Tenn.Par 72, 6,377 YardsTEAM LEADERBOARD (Top 5) Team 1st2nd3rd4thTotal1. Alabama 286 285 306 294 1171 2. Southern Cal 297 288 294 293 1172 3. LSU 293 294 297 289 1173 4. Virginia 288 294 301 292 1175 5. South Carolina 302281 300 293 1176 11. Vanderbilt 306 284 311 285 1186 INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD (Top 5) Name 1st2nd3rd4thTotal1. Chirapat Jao-Javanil (Oklahoma) 69 73 70 70 282 2. Brooke Pancake (Alabma) 68 70 75 73 286 T-3. Tessa Teachman (LSU) 69 74 70 74 287 T-3. Laura Gonzalez (Purdue) 67 76 74 70 287 5. Katie Burnett (South Carolina) 74 67 74 73 288 VANDERBILT SCORES Name 1st2nd3rd4thTotalT-14. Marina Alex 77 68 76 72 293 T-29. Lauren Stratton 75 70 81 69 295 T-33. Kendall Martindale 75 72 77 72 296 T-71. Anna Leigh Keith 80 74 77 72 303 123. Rene Sobolewski 79 76 84 79 318
FRANKLIN, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt women’s golf team was not about to let the 2012 NCAA Championships conclude on their home course without closing out strong.
The Commodores did just that in the fourth and final round of the NCAA Championships at the Vanderbilt Legends Club, shooting a three-under 285 to finish in 11th place. It took a strong finish, as Vandy got 11 birdies on the final four holes.
Senior Marina Alex, playing in her final collegiate round, was up-and-down early, but capped her career with four-straight birdies on holes six-nine. Alex shot even par on both sides, finishing at 72.
Alex capped the championship at +5 (293) and finished tied for 14th on the individual leaderboard.
Lauren Stratton rebounded from a rough third round to card the best Vanderbilt score of the day and the top score of the morning session, a three-under 69. Stratton used two birdies on the back and two on the front (as well as a bogey on eight) to finish at +7 for the championship.
Kendall Martindale shot an even-par 72. Martindale was two-over at the turn thanks to a bogey on 16 and a double bogey on 17, but rebounded with three birdies on the final four holes to get back to even. Martindale caps the Championship at eight-over.
Anna Leigh Keith also shot even par, but turned in quite the colorful card. Keith had six birdies, but also had four bogeys and a double bogey to finish at 72. Keith completed the championship at +15.
Rene Sobolewski had the high round of the day and did not score for Vanderbilt. She shot a seven-over 79 to finish the championship at +30.
Vanderbilt Head Coach Greg Allen was proud of his team.
“I told them they played well and responded well, twice this week,” Allen said. “It’s too bad we couldn’t play every round in the morning.”
The Commodores shot rounds of 284 and 285 on the days they played in the morning (second and fourth rounds), compared to 306 and 311 in the afternoons (first and third rounds).
Allen was especially proud of Alex and her string of four birdies to cap her career.
“What a way for her to go out,” Allen said. “I told her she’s by far the best player to ever come through our program and one of the best athletes to ever play at Vanderbilt.”
Alex was a two-time SEC Player of the Year and the third first team All-American to play at Vanderbilt.
Looking to the future, Allen knows Stratton and company have a bright future.
“It’s hard to replace Marina, but that’s (Stratton’s) job,” Allen said. “Anna Leigh did a good job and had a strong finish. Kendall got a lot of great experience (as well). We’re really excited about where we’re headed.”
Alabama captured the team championship at 19-over, besting Southern Cal by one stroke. The Tide clinched the title when Tennessee native Brooke Pancake made a five-foot putt to save par on the 18th.
Oklahoma’s Chirpat Jao-Javanil took the individual title at six-under (282). Pancake placed second with a two-under 286.
