The No. 6-ranked Gators women’s golf team gave a convincing argument two weeks ago for why they believed they should be the No. 1 seed at the NCAA Regional Championships in Columbus, Ohio. With a commanding 13-stroke victory over Alabama and Georgia, Florida took home its ninth SEC title in program history.
On Monday afternoon, the Gators served notice to the rest of the Columbus regional field exactly why that No. 1 seed was well-earned.
Freshman Marta Perez, who struggled in the SEC Championship, helped pace the Gators to a 9-over-par finish on the first day of the tournament. Perez’s 1-over performance was good for a tie for fourth overall among the field and comes on the heels of being named to the SEC All-Freshman Team. Purdue’s Marta Martin Garcia took the top spot in round one at 2 under.
Florida started off steady, posting a team score of 1 over through the front nine, tying with Ohio State for the lead. However, after three bogeys and two double bogeys to begin the next two holes, the Buckeyes lost their chance to capitalize on Florida’s relatively smaller mistakes.
Senior Maria Torres, one of the Gators two golfers named to the First Team All-SEC on Thursday, had an uncharacteristically flat day. After posting an even par on the front nine, Torres bogeyed on holes 10, 17 and 18 to finish tied for 12th at 3 over.
Fellow senior Kelly Grassel, the other First Team All-SEC member for Florida, had a very similar outing; Grassel shot even par on the front nine and posted two bogeys before alternating between a birdie and bogey on holes 15 and 16.
Junior Taylor Tomlinson had perhaps the most eventful round of the day, draining three birdies, which led the team. However, Tomlinson also posted six bogeys, three each on the front and back nine.
Emily Glaser knows a thing or two about staying humble. Over the course of the season, the Gators women’s golf head coach has harped on the need for her team to learn from its mistakes, even after convincing tournament wins.
On Thursday, that philosophy and the results it produced earned Glaser SEC Coach of the Year, her first such honor since taking charge of the team in 2012. Of course, with the accomplishment came more lessons to be learned.
“It’s humbling to be selected for coach of the year,” Glaser said after winning the award. “This award is shared with (assistant coach) Janice (Olivencia) who has provided tremendous support to myself and all members of our team.”
Glaser said that the Gators’ day one performance in Columbus was solid, but, in what’s come to be expected from her, Glaser emphasized the learning opportunities.
“This golf course teaches you a lot about yourself and your game,” Glaser said. “We are gaining valuable experience.”
Contact Morgan McMullen at mmcmullen@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @morgan_mcmuffin.
Maria Torres watches her shot during the SunTrust Gator Women's Golf Invitational on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville.
