Taylor overcomes Canadian-like weather to lead PSU at NCAA West Regional Tournament in Auburn, Wash
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Lauren Taylor probably felt like she was golfing at Granite Pointe instead of on the manicured track at Washington National Golf Club in Auburn, WA.
Conditions were more Canadian-like spring than a May Day in Washington State.
That didn’t bother the Granite Pointe golfer as Taylor finished as the top player on Portland State at the final round of the NCAA West Regional Championship Saturday in Auburn.
Taylor finished the 54-hole tournament tied for 63rd after firing a 5-over-par 77.
“I feel confident in my game after this first year (at Portland State) and I’m excited to continue throughout the summer at the B.C. Women’s amateur,” Taylor told The Nelson Daily.
“I feel as though I have a new game face and am curious to see my new game in action for the summer of 2011.”
Portland State finished the tournament in 20th spot with a three-day total of 942, 76 shots behind top ranked and tournament champion USC.
The top eight teams in the tournament advance to the NCAA Final at The Traditions Course in College Station, TX on May 18-21.
Taylor opened the tournament with a 77 before shooting an 80 during round two. The L.V. Rogers Bomber grad finished the tournament with a final total of 234, two shots behind Viking teammate Kayln Dodge.
The NCAA tournament culminates a banner freshman season for Taylor.
The 19-year-old L.V. Rogers Bomber grad won two tournaments this season on the Big Sky circuit in California — Cal State
Fullerton Folino Invitational and UC Irvine Anteater Invitational. Those accomplishments did not go unnoticed as Taylor earned Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year accolades — the first freshman from Portland State to claim the honour.
Taylor also was named to the All- Big Sky Conference Team with Schoning and Yada. Dodge was named to the second team.
All-Conference honors are based on Golfstat.com national player rankings.
Taylor’s scoring average of 75.80 is the best ever by a PSU freshman. She also tied a school scoring record for a 36-hole tournament with an even par 144 at the Folino.
Taylor is a two-time Big Sky Conference Golfer of the Week.
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