Niki Garden Captures Medalist Honors At Loyola Invitational

April 17, 2007

Butler junior Niki Garden ran away from the field and posted a 10-stroke win to capture medalist honors at the Loyola Invitational held at Pine Meadow Golf Club in Mundelein, Ill., on Monday and Tuesday (April 16-17). The strong performance by Garden helped Butler finish third in the final team standings at the 36-hole tournament.

Garden stormed to the lead by shooting a one-over-par 73 in the first round of the tournament on Monday. She then duplicated that effort in the second round to finish well ahead of runner-up Abbie Many of Northern Illinois (79-77 156). Garden finished with five birdies and 24 pars in the two-day event. She led the tournament in par 3 scoring and par 4 scoring.

Butler also picked up a "Top 10" individual finish from senior Sarah Swanson, who tied for tenth with a 36-hole total of 165. Swanson shot an 83 in the opening round and then closed with an 82. Sophomore Lauren Swanson tied for 15th with rounds of 83 and 87 (170), while sophomore Ashlen Christie tied for 21st place with back-to-back rounds of 87 (174).

Northern Illinois captured the team title with a two-day total of 638, while IPFW finished runner-up with a score of 651. Butler posted a 655, followed by host Loyola (665) and Cleveland State (675).

BUTLER SCORES
1. Niki Garden (73-73, 146)
10T. Sarah Swanson (83-82 165)
15T. Lauren Showers (83-87 170)
21T. Ashlen Christie (87-87 174)