Bulldogs Place Second At Butler Fall Invitational

Sept. 26, 2006

Sophomore Lauren Showers shot a final round four-over-par 76 to finish runner-up in the individual race and help lead Butler to a second place team finish at the Butler Fall Invitational held at Plum Creek Golf Course in Carmel, Ind., on Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 25-26. Western Kentucky claimed the team title in the nine-team tournament.

Showers shot back-to-back rounds of 78 on the first day of the tournament and trailed Megan Pendergraff of Western Kentucky by three strokes heading into the final round on Tuesday. She finished with her best score of the tournament and was the leader in the clubhouse at the end of her round. But Pendergraff answered the challenge by carding a one-over-par 73 in the final round to claim medalist honors by six strokes. Showers edged Rachel McHenry of Detroit by a single stroke for second place.

Butler also picked up a Top Ten individual finish from Paige McCracken, who bounced back from an opening round 87 with scores of 78 and 74 in the final two rounds. Her 54-hole total of 239 was good enough for a tie for seventh place.

Junior Niki Garden tied for 16th place with rounds of 77, 87 and 79 (243), while senior Sarah Swanson placed 19th with rounds of 79, 82 and 84 (245). Ashlen Christie, Butler's fifth player, carded rounds of 84, 81 and 85 (250).

Two Butler players also competed as non-scoring individuals. Amanda Moreman shot rounds of 88, 91 and 80 (259), while Amy Stafford posted scores of 88, 90 and 91 (269).

Western Kentucky won the tournament with a team score of 946, four strokes better than the Bulldogs. Oakland, Detroit and Eastern Illinois tied for third at 955, followed by Creighton (992), Cleveland State (1016), IUPUI (1019) and Dayton (1019).