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April 26, 2009

LUBBOCK, Texas -- Freshman Nicole Vandermade (80-77-75) fired a 2-over-par 75 in the final round of the Big 12 Championship to lead The University of Texas with a tie for 10th place at 13-over 232 and to also earn All-Tournament Team honors for her effort. As a team, the Longhorns (321-308-317=946, +70) finished the league championship in sixth place.

Vandermade began her final round with a bogey on the 10th hole - her first of the day on the par-73, 6,564-yard The Rawls Course - and dropped to 2-over with a subsequent bogey on the 16th hole. Her first of two birdie opportunities came on the par-5, 522-yard 17th hole when she tapped in for birdie. Three holes later, Vandermade carded her second birdie after missing a 40-foot eagle putt by inches and climbed back to even par with another tap in. Bogeys on the third and final holes resulted in the 2-over scorecard.

Vandermade steadily improved her performance in each round of her Big 12 Championship debut after opening with a 7-over 80 in Friday's first round. She finished the second round at 4-over 77, but saved her best performance for Sunday's finale. Additionally, Vandermade and Oklahoma State's Caroline Masson shared Sunday's co-field low score at 2-over. Vandermade has been UT's top finisher in four events throughout the 2008-09 season, including the season-opening Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Classic.

Senior Kelley Louth (77-81-81=239, +20) closed the event with back-to-back 81s for a 54-hole score of 239 that tied her for 31st place. Junior Shannon Fish (82-75-83=240, +21) finished one stroke behind Louth and tied for 34th, while seniors Kristin Walla (82-80-79=241, +22) and Caney Hines (84-76-82=242, +23) finished in ties for 38th and 41st places, respectively.

Oklahoma State (295-302-312=909, +22) emerged atop the team standings with a wire-to-wire victory. Texas A&M (304-299-319=922) finished 13 strokes back at 46-over for second place, while Oklahoma (315-306-318=939, +63) rounded out the top-three teams.

Texas will now await Monday's announcement of the NCAA Championship Regional selections at 3 p.m. Central. This year's regional sites include Florida (Gainesville, Fla.), Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio) and Arizona State (Tempe, Ariz.).

TEXAS
T10. Nicole Vandermade, 80-77-75=232 (+13)
T31. Kelley Louth, 77-81-81=239 (+20)
T34. Shannon Fish, 82-75-83=240 (+21)
T38. Kristin Walla, 82-80-79=241 (+22)
T41. Caney Hines, 84-76-82=242 (+23)

TEAM STANDINGS
1. Oklahoma State, 295-302-312=909 (+33)
2. Texas A&M, 304-299-319=922 (+46)
3. Oklahoma, 315-306-318=939 (+63)
4. Kansas State, 311-311-322=944 (+68)
5. Kansas, 312-310-323=945 (+69)
6. TEXAS, 321-308-317=946 (+70)
7. Baylor, 322-313-315=950 (+74)
T8. Colorado, 317-305-330=952 (+76)
T8. Iowa State, 325-315-312=952 (+76)
10. Nebraska, 315-314-324=953 (+77)
T11. Texas Tech, 326-312319=957 (+81)
T11. Missouri, 317-311-329=957 (+81)

POST-ROUND QUOTES
Head Coach Martha Richards
On the team's overall performance: Once again, we've given too many shots away. A shot or two here and there would have made a difference, but, every team in the field can say that. When you come in as the second- or third-ranked team in the field, you need to step it up and take advantage of the opportunities presented to you when the door is open. On the other hand, I'm not going to question our effort, because we've worked hard and never gave up on any shots.

On playing in the postseason: When you get into the postseason, it all comes down to one simple thing - you've got to find a way to get it done. Heading into (NCAA) Regionals, you have to find a way to get it done. It's a shot here and a shot there, and if you're not careful, then you're not in the Top 24 when it counts for a national title.

On the play of freshman Nicole Vandermade: Nicole definitely put her game face on today. We had a good conversation last night, and she came out looking really focused and determined. She was swinging with authority.