Region XI Women's Golf Tournament Begins Friday
Four rounds over two weekends will decide the 2019 Regional Champion.
The 2019 Women's Golf Region XI Championship begins this weekend as all seven ICCAC teams will battle it out to see who earns a trip to the National Championship. The meet will take place at Otter Creek Golf Course in Ankeny, which includes four rounds of 18 holes, spread out over two weekends with the final round coming on April 27.
Five ICCAC teams are ranked in the NJCAA prior to the tournament. Iowa Western (No. 10), Iowa Lakes (No. 16), DMACC (No. 20), NIACC (No. 21) and, Southwestern (No. 22).
Iowa Western may be the favorite heading into the first weekend of play at the Regional Tournament. Last year as a freshman, Iowa Western's Lisa Lied finished 13th at the national tournament as the team finished 12th after claiming the Region XI Championship victory.
Currently, Iowa Western has two golfers within the top 50 on Golfstat, No. 30 Emily Spies and No. 33 Lied. The Reivers also return three All-Region players including Lied (first team), Kim Park (second team) and Payton Schmidt (honorable mention). Iowa Western has won the Region XI Tournament the last eight years, dating back all the way to the 2010-11 season.
Iowa Lakes will also be among the favorites for the tournament victory. The Lakers were able to snatch first place at the Region XI Fall Preview, which happens to be at the same course as the Regional Tournament this weekend. Sophomore Annika DuMoulin led Iowa Lakes to their victory shooting 81, good enough for an overall second place finish.
DMACC is also looking to snatch the Region XI title after a third-place finish at the Simpson Invitational last week. The Bears finished with 390 strokes. Sophomore Kylie Nichols led DMACC with a 92, tying for seventh place.
NIACC is looking to make a statement at the tournament after earning a second-place finish last week at the Simpson Invitational. The Trojans shot a season-best of 388, despite the high winds and decreasing temperatures.
Southwestern has high hopes going into the tournament with sophomore Bianaca Findlay on the roster. Findlay has claimed two tournament victories in the last two attended at the Simpson Invitational and the Iowa Central Spring Invite.
Iowa Central returns to the links in 2019 after going on a hiatus last season. Southeastern will also be fighting for the chance to send some to nationals this weekend as well.
The top team (five golfers) and the top 10 best individuals not on the winning team, advance to the NJCAA Women's Golf National Championships. Nationals are held May 13-16 at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Florida. Last year, Iowa Western placed 12th and DMACC 16th.
Championship Information:
Round 1 - Friday, April 19
Round 2 - Saturday, April 20
Round 3 - Friday, April 26
Round 4 - Saturday, April 27
For scoring after each round, visit www.golfstat.com.