HOUSTON, Texas - A year ago, Macy Hubbard (Mason, Ohio/Mason) heated up at just the right time, earning medalist honors at the 2015 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Championship Series and finishing second in the 2015 NCAA Division III Tournament. On the opening day of the 2016 national championships, Hubbard actually found a way to top herself.
Hubbard shot a blistering three-under-par round of 69 on the opening day of the 2016 NCAA Division III Tournament, establishing a personal collegiate best and breaking the championship scoring record in the process. Hubbard will take a one-shot lead into the second round of the tournament, which is being played on the par-72, 5,869-yard course at Bay Oaks Country Club.
As a team, Wittenberg, which finished second a year ago in its first-ever NCAA Division III Tournament appearance, stands third after carding a team score of 310. Texas-Tyler holds the lead at 303, followed by George Fox at 307. Rhodes, which came into the national competition ranked No. 1 in scoring average compiled by GolfStat, is fourth at 312 and Sewanee rounds out the top five with a score of 315.
"Today was a good building block for the team," said Head Coach Jeff Roope. "Macy played exceptional, and the others really provided great support. It's been that way all year - they play complete team golf, it's not just them leaning on one person.
"It's why they've been so much fun to be around. And the golf course, conditions, weather, field and so on could not be more fitting for a national championship. We're looking forward to a great week."
Hubbard's round started with birdies on three of the first six holes. After giving two strokes back on the 13th and 15th holes, Hubbard finished strong with birdies on the 16th and 18th holes. The Tiger junior has a one-stroke lead over Phoebe Nguyen of Whitman.
Senior Maggie Smith (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore) posted a solid opening round of 75 to stand sixth in the 109-player field. Sophomore Jane Hopkinson-Wood (Pottstown, Pa./The Hill School) shot an 82 and is in 43rd place, senior Allie Lawwill (Springboro, Ohio/Middletown) carded an 84 to stand 54th, and freshman Chloe Bradburn (Gahanna, Ohio/Columbus Academy) rounded things out for the Tigers in 73rd place with an 87.
The Tigers have a quick turnaround on Wednesday. Wittenberg players will begin teeing off at 8:35 a.m. (CST)
Written By: Ryan Maurer