Daytona State Golf Captures Eighth National Title

May 19th, 2016

The Lady Falcons and other golfers in the NJCAA National Tournament had one additional opponent to contend with this week, the unpredictable Florida weather.  The heat and humidity plagued the links of LPGA the entire week, with strong storms interrupting the play almost daily.

Daytona State College led the field after day one by just one stroke over last year's NJCAA National Champs, Seminole State.  Day two was suspended early due to inclement weather.  Heavy storms wiped out the late afternoon play, forcing the Lady Falcons and other golfers in the afternoon wave to have to conclude their second round of play Wednesday morning.  Daytona State golfers played nearly 26 holes Wednesday as they wrapped up round two and additionally completed round three.

After the second round of competition the Falcons saw their lead expand to 13 strokes.  McLennan Community College had surpassed Seminole in the field claiming second after round two, finishing the day with a score of 596, while Seminole closely followed with a score of 598.  With a commanding 13 stroke lead, Daytona State College was hopeful they could at best maintain their advantage and if luck would have it extend their lead going into the final two rounds.

After finishing round two, Daytona State College took a brief break from the links before playing their third round of the NJCAA National Tournament. Despite a nearly 26 holes of golf played on Wednesday, Daytona State seemed to find a groove that propelled them into the final round of play.  Led by the exceptional play of Ji Sun Kang, scoring a 67 in round two and 68 in round 3, accumulating a three day total of 207, the Falcons had positioned themselves nicely for the final day of play.  The Falcons three day total of 876 placed them comfortably in first with one day of play remaining.  Their closest competition, Seminole State College, recorded a three day total of 901.  Twenty-five strokes separated the Falcons of Daytona State College and the Raiders of Seminole State with round to play.

Today marked the final day of play for the NJCAA National Tournament.  Daytona State College was hopeful that they could preserve their lead and bring home the program's 8th National Title.  However, the Florida weather would prevent the fourth round from completing.  Severe storms moving through the area suspended the final round of play.  The tournament would be determined by the completed first three rounds of play.

With their 25 stroke lead, the Lady Falcons under the tutelage of Head Coach Laura Brown, captured the program's 8th National Title.  In addition to the Falcons earning the team title, Daytona State's all-star, Kang seized individual top honors for the Individual National Champion title.  Kang's three day total was an impressive score of 207.  Katie Veale, of Daytona State College, and Roanne Tomlinson, from McLennan Community College tied for 2nd with a score of 219.  Five Daytona State golfers landed in the tournament's top 20, Kang (207), Veale (219), Kaye Kwon (226), Cristine Lee (227), Claire Becker (232).

Despite the challenges mother-nature threw at Daytona State College, they were able to stay focused on the links of their home course of LPGA and bring home the National Title for Daytona State College.