EDMOND, Okla. – For the first time in program history, University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Women's Golf has punched its ticket to the NCAA Division II Women's Golf Championships with a fourth-place finish at the NCAA II Central Regional Wednesday at KickingBird Golf Club.
Ali Perry became the first Lion to earn regional individual medalist honors, winning the event in a playoff. Perry finished the event with a 209 (-1).
Perry recorded rounds of 72-66-71 and tallied six birdies with only four bogeys. Her second round went bogey free with four birdies. She was the only player to shoot under par on par-4s (-3) and led the tournament with 44 pars.
Aliesa Situmorang tied for 11th with a 216 (+6), carding rounds of 72-72-72. Situmorang led the Lions with nine birdies, including four in round two.
Lauren Evans was seventh after two rounds before finishing in a tie for 24th with a 218 (+8). She had rounds of 69-72-77 with five birdies in round one and an eagle in round two. Her eight birdies were second on the team.
Kaitlyn Canales tied for 53rd after carding rounds of 74-74-78 with six birdies. Kenley McElyea posted a 77 in round one and 79 in round two while Maddie Sanders subbed in round three and carded a 77.
UAFS finished with an 868 (+28) and was one of four teams to advance to next week's NCAA Championships. The Lions recorded the second most birdies with 34.
The NCAA Championships will be held May 13-17 at Boulder Creek Golf Club in Boulder City, Nevada.