The Missouri State women’s golf team completed its 2008-09 season with a fifth place finish at the MVC Championship.  Competing on Lake Panorama National Resort a par 72, 6,081-yard course in Panora, Iowa, the 10-team field battled strong winds in the final round on Sunday.  The Bears shot 326 to slip one spot, finishing fifth with a three-day total 942. 

Capturing the team title for the second consecutive year was Illinois State.  The Redbirds finished with a 54-hole total 921, 12 strokes better that second place Drake at 933.  Wichita State and Northern Iowa placed third and fourth, respectively.  The Shockers posted 935 for three rounds and the Panthers finished one stroke ahead of the Bears at 941. 

Stacey Miller, a senior for Illinois State was awarded medalist honors, shooting 80 in the final round, catching the 36-hole leader Olivia Lansing of Drake.  Miller posted 225 for three rounds, one stroke ahead of Lansing at 226.

Two Bears’ women, freshman Kelsey Welber and Catherine Dolan, were named to the MVC All-Conference team for their performance.  Welber placed fifth individually with rounds of 77-75-80 for a tournament-total 231. 

Dolan finished tied for eighth place with a 54-hole total 233.  She posted rounds of 79-71-83.  Dolan was also awarded Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year for her accomplishments throughout the 2008-09 season.

Junior Stacey Rodger carded rounds of 78-76-85 to finish tied for 24th place individually at 239.  Senior Lindsey Wellenstein shot 79 in the final round, matching her season best 18-hole score.  She completed her collegiate career with a three round total 245 to place tied for 34th.  She posted rounds of 83-83-79.

Tying her senior teammate at 245 was captain Amy Phalajivin.  She also wrapped up her collegiate career, posting rounds of 79-82-84 to tie for 34th place.

Day 2 Recap

Dolan carded a career low, one-under-par 71, in the second round to led the team, which shot 304 to move up two spots.  The Bears finished the day tied with Northern Iowa in fourth place at 616.  Illinois State leads the competition after 36 holes, posting 295 as a team for a two-day total of 596.  Drake trails the Redbirds at 604 in second.   Wichita State remains in third with a 36-hole total 609.  Olivia Lansing of Drake shot three-under-par 69, to enter the final round leading the individual competition with a 36-hole score of 144.

Dolan at 150 for 36 holes finished tied in fourth place individually.  One stroke behind was Welber who carded 75 for the day to finish at 151 in a tie for sixth place.  In a tied of 18th place at 154 was Rodger who improved in the second round, shooting 76.

Phalajivin  shot 82 to enter the final round tied for 37th place at 161 and Wellenstein matched her first round score 83, to finish with a 36-hole total 166.  She finished tied for 43rd place.

Day 1 Recap

The Bears finished the first round of the conference tournament in a tie with Evansville for sixth place at 312.  Illinois State led the team competition posting 301 as a team.  In second place, three strokes behind the Redbirds, was Wichita State at 304.  Northern Iowa shot 306 as a team to sit alone in third.  Just ahead of the Bears in a tie for fourth was Bradley and Drake, each team posting 308. 

Welber was low for the Bears, carding four-over-par and finished tied in 13th place with a 76.  Two strokes behind was Rodger, carding 78 to finished the day tied for 20th place.  Phalajivin and Dolan shot identical rounds of 79 to finish tied for 27th place.  Wellenstein rounded out the Bears’ team, posting 83 to finish in 42nd place.