May 11, 2013
Vanderbilt once again threw the record books to the wind on Saturday afternoon at the Stanford University Golf Course, when the 2013 edition of the Commodores’ women’s golf team advanced to the NCAA Championship for the fourth consecutive season for the first time in program history with a third-pace finish at the West Regional. The top eight teams from the 24-team regional advance to the finals, which takes place May 21-24 in Athens, Ga.
In all, Saturday’s result marked the eighth NCAA Championship for the women’s golf program at Vanderbilt.
Sophomore Kendall Martindale set the pace for the Commodores for the tournament, finishing in a tie for third with a final score of 210 (71-71-68). Martindale’s final-round 68 tied for the third-lowest of the day at the par-71 Stanford Course. Freshman Jenny Hahn shot a one-under par, 70, on Saturday and finished in a tie for 10th with a final total of 216 (74-72-70).
“I’m so proud of this team and the way they hung in there and competed today,” said Vanderbilt head coach Greg Allen. “Obviously, the ultimate goal in an NCAA Regional is to advance and we did that. And once again, it was exciting to be in the hunt. What a great tournament for Kendall! She is playing really great golf. And Jenny is peaking at the right time. She was solid all week.”
Senior Lauren Stratton also made history on Saturday, becoming the first Commodore women’s golfer to advance to four national championships as a member of a qualifying team. Stratton finished in a tie for 30th with a score of 221 (73-73-75). Sophomore Irina Gabasa finished the West Regional in a tie for 33rd with a score of 222 (71-73-78), and junior Rene Sobolewski carded a total of 235 (77-78-80, T-99).
As a team, Vanderbilt with a final score of 869 (289-289-291).
Southern Cal, the number one seed in the regional, came from behind to claim the regional title with a final score of 859 (290-289-280). Purdue finished second with a score of 860 (291-286-283).
The other teams to advance to Athens were South Carolina, host Stanford, Arizona, Oregon, and San Jose State.
3. Vanderbilt – 289-288-291=869
T3. Kendall Martindale – 71-71-68=210
T10. Jenny Hahn – 74-72-70=216
T30. Lauren Stratton – 73-73-75=221
T33. Irina Gabasa – 71-73-78=222
T99. Rene Sobolewski – 77-78-80=235
