No. 23 Nighthawks Await Semifinal Finish After Darkness Suspends 2nd Annual Bracket Challenge
HOMER, Ga. – The No. 23 University of North Georgia women's golf team advanced to the semifinal in the 2nd Annual Bracket Challenge after day one of the event on Monday, but was unable to complete the round as play was suspended due to darkness. The event takes place at the 6,107-yard par-72 Chimney Oaks Golf Club.
In the bracket style, medal match play event, the fourth-seeded Nighthawks defeated fifth-seeded West Georgia in the first round as UNG took four of the five matches against the Wolves.
Senior Danielle Humphrey shot an even-par 72 to defeat Hannah Barrett in the first individual match.
Katherin Densmore from UWG then won the second match to earn a point back for the Wolves as she shot a 73 to beat out Nighthawk freshman Abby Franks' 76.
In match #3 junior Ellie Rippee stormed back to beat Jordan Knox by a single stroke. Rippee was four down with four holes to play in her opening round. As Rippee trailed by four strokes heading into the par-3 15th hole, it was there that the McKinney, Texas native sunk her second birdie of the day to win the hole. Not only did Rippee birdie, but Knox bogeyed the 159-yard hole, allowing Rippe to pull within two shots. She one-upped herself the next hole at the par-5 16th.
After a great drive, Rippee reached the green with her second shot as her ball sat just 18 feet from the cup. With a clam stroke she sank the putt for eagle to gain two strokes on Knox who recorded a five.
With a pair of par-4 holes left to play at 17 and 18, Rippee had tied the match. She took a one stroke lead by parring 17 as Knox bogeyed for the third time on the back nine. Both golfers parred 18 as Rippee secured the win and point for the Nighthawks.
In match #4, junior Jadin Ware shined, shooting a one-under 71 to win her match and secure the team win to advance UNG to the semifinals. Ware's 71 was the only score under par in the quarterfinals for the Nighthawks.
As the host institution, UNG also has a "B" team rounding out the competition composed of three Nighthawk golfers and one competitor from Lee and another from UWG. The UNG "B"/Individuals team lost 3-2 to top seeded Findlay in the opening round.
In round two, a semifinal showdown with top seeded and No. 4 Findlay, UNG's chance at advancing to the finals was cut short by darkness.
With the final individual matches still needing to complete the last four holes, the challenge was postponed at 7:55 p.m. due to darkness. The final group from day one will resume their rounds at 8 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, Apr. 12.
Here's where the Nighthawks currently stand as play was suspended in the final round:
Match #1: Abby Franks (3 DN thru 15) vs. Ashleigh Duflo
Match #2: Danielle Humphrey (11 DN thru 16) vs. Hayley Dye
Match #3: Jadin Ware (6 DN thru 15) vs. Erin Mulcahy
Match #4: Ellie Rippee (4 DN thru 15) vs. Mary Kelly Mulcahy
Match #5: Amari Smith (8 DN thru 14) vs. Gabby Woods
The UNG "B"/Individuals team waits to finish tomorrow's Consolation #2 match against UWG as well:
Match #1: Hope Harrell – Lee (lost 13 DN) vs. Katherine Densmore
Match #2: Erica Couch – UWG (won 6 UP) vs. Madison Chappell
Match #3: Chanley Box – UNG (won 1 UP) vs. Jordan Knox
Match #4: Kennedy Noe – UNG (4 DN thru 17) vs. Hannah Barrett
Match #5: Lainey Panter – UNG (2 DN thru 17) vs. Maddy Shultz
Upon completion, the matchups and pairings will then be promptly decided for the final rounds of the tournament and the teams will quickly take the course again to finish the event.
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