Bulldogs Place 11th At Cardinal Classic

Sept. 10, 2006

Junior Niki Garden tied for 14th in the individual competition and helped lead Butler to an 11th place team finish in the 18-team Cardinal Classic women's golf tournament held at The Players Club in Yorktown, Ind., on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-10. Eastern Michigan captured the team title in the 36-hole tournament hosted by Ball State.

Garden opened the two-day tournament with a two-over par 72 in the opening round, before slipping to 81 for the final 18 holes. She finished in a three-way tie with Amanda Bader of Bowling Green and Kayley Bodine of Indiana State. The individual medalist was Ashley Smith of Grand Valley State, who posted a two-day total of one-over-par 145.

Sophomore Lauren Showers and junior Paige McCracken both finished with final scores of 159 for the Bulldogs and wound up in a tie for 32nd place. Showers shot rounds of 81 and 78, while McCracken carded a 77 on the opening day and an 82 in the final round. Senior Sarah Swanson tied for 57th with rounds of 85 and 80, while junior Amy Stafford tied for 92nd with scores of 85 and 87.

Butler also had two players entered as non-scoring individuals in the tournament. Senior Amanda Moreman tied for 67th place with an 87 on the opening day and a closing round of 79. Sophomore Ashlen Christie tied for 77th place with scores of 88 and 80.

The tournament was the first fall competition for the Bulldogs.

Final Team Standings

1. Eastern Michigan 607, 2. Ferris State 615, 3. Grand Valley State 617, 4. Western Michigan 620, Oakland 620, 6. Indiana State 632, 7. Indianapolis 633, 8. Ohio 634, 9. Ball State 635, 10. Bowling Green 636, 11. Butler University 638, 12. Western Kentucky 646, 13. Bucknell 656, Eastern Kentucky 656, 15. IUPUI 661, 16. Austin Peay 667, 17. IPFW 668, 18. Southern Indiana 672.

Butler Scores

14-T. Niki Garden, 74-81 155; 32-T. Lauren Showers, 81-78 159; 32-T. Paige McCracken, 77-82 159; 57-T. Sarah Swanson, 85-80 165; 92-T. Amy Stafford, 85-87 172. Butler Individuals: 67-T. Amanda Moreman, 87-79 166; 77-T. Ashlen Christie, 88-80 168.