Butler Captures Cougar Classic Championship

HAMMOND, IND. -- Junior Michele Nash placed runner-up in the individual competition and Butler captured the team title at the Cougar Classic, which wrapped up on Tuesday (Sept. 21).  The 36-hole tournament was hosted by Chicago State at Lost Marsh Golf Course in Hammond, Ind.

Nash, who shot a crisp, one-under-par 71 in the opening round on Monday (Sept. 20), carded a 77 on the final day to finish with a four-over-par 148.  She came in two strokes behind individual medalist Kristi O’Brien of team runner-up IUPUI.  Nash had five birdies and 23 pars in the two-day event.

Senior Molly Fields came in second for the Bulldogs and tied for fourth overall with a final score of 150.  She shot a 74 in the opening round and then closed with a 76, matching Butler’s best final round score.  Fields was second in par five scoring (4.90) and tied for second in par four scoring (4.13) in the tournament.

Sophomore Julia Porter, who had the tournament’s lone eagle, tied for 14th overall with rounds of 82 and 76 (158), while freshman Ali Restaino tied for 36th with back-to-back rounds of 83 (166).  Senior Marcella Moreman tied for 59th with rounds of 88 and 85 (173).

Freshman Lauren Patishall, playing as a non-scoring individual, wound up tied for 71st place with back-to-back rounds of 90 (180).

Butler trailed IUPUI by two strokes heading into the final round, but out-scored the Jaguars by six strokes on the final day to claim the title.

BUTLER SCORES:
    2.        Michele Nash - 71-77 148
    T-4.     Molly Fields - 74-76 150
    T-14.    Julia Porter - 82-76 158
    T-36.    Ali Restaino - 83-83 166
    T-59.    Marcella Moreman - 88-85 173
    T-71.    Lauren Patishall - 90-90 180

TEAM SCORES:
    1.    Butler - 310-312 622
    2.    IUPUI - 308-318 626
    3.    Loyola - 314-319 633
    T-4. Dayton - 323-313 636
           SIU Edwardsville - 319-317 636
    6.    Chicago State - 315-326 641
    7.    Eastern Illinois - 328-315 643
    T-8. Valparaiso - 323-328 651
           Green Bay - 330-321 651
    10.   Alabama State - 335-317 652
    11.   North Dakota - 339-323 662
    12.   South Dakota - 340-349 689
    13.   IPFW - 365-361 726
    14.   Tennessee State - 460-484 944