by BRADENTON, Fla. — Texas Tech women’s golf head coach JoJo Robertson’s birthday on Saturday would be anything but normal this time.
One could argue that spending her birthday at the NCAA Championships for the first time since taking over the program in 2009 is special enough. The team even celebrated with the coach and others at dinner following the second round and handed Robertson a birthday card and framed picture from the team’s celebration two weeks ago after capturing an NCAA berth at the San Antonio Regional.
But the biggest and best gift may have come earlier that day on the golf course.
Tech, after shooting a 31-over 319 in the first round to drop into a tie for second-to-last place, came out blazing on Saturday at The Concession Golf Club in the second round. The Lady Raiders recorded the day’s best team round with a 6-over 294 to shoot up the leaderboard 13 spots into ninth place heading into Sunday’s decisive third round.
“It’s incredible the way they bounced back,” she said. “That might be the lowest round I thought could possibly be shot out here all week. And for our team to do it is just awesome.”
Half the field has yet to complete the second round as play was suspended after lightning and thunderstorms rolled into the area for the fourth time in two days and just before dark. Only four of the 12 teams left to finish the second round are ahead of Tech, who needs to be in the top 15 after Sunday to advance to the final round of stroke play on Monday.
Right now, the team is just one shot out of the top eight – which would qualify for the match play championship beginning Tuesday. And that could quickly improve as the teams resume play at 8:25 a.m. ET Sunday.
Freshman Gabby Barker (Shoshone-Paiute Tribes) dropped in an eagle on the par-4 eighth hole before rattling off four birdies on the back nine to come in with an even par 72 on Saturday – tying UC Davis’ Betty Chen for the lowest round of the day. It was also the third-lowest round for a Lady Raider in the NCAA Championship just behind Gabby Dominguez (69 – 2012) and LPGA pro Kim Kaufman (70 – 2012).
Barker used her short game to her advantage, holing out from 75 yards for eagle on the eighth and then chipping in off the green on the par-3 14th. And after a double and triple bogey on holes 15 and 16, she showed poise by burying two long birdie putts on the final two holes.
“It was a lot of fun,” Barker said. “This course is so demanding with every single shot. I think the way we played today and how we executed every single shot just made it that much more fun today.”
Senior Stephanie Bertelsen and freshman Lauren Mason each carded 1-over 73s on the second day to tie Kaufman for the 5th best scores in Tech women’s golf at nationals. Junior Kimmy Hill was just three shots back with a 4-over 76 and junior Sarah Brown ended her second round at 12-over.
Tech’s four counting scorecards (Barker, Bertelsen, Hill, Mason) finished the day by going 4-under on the final two holes.
The team will now get a chance to repeat its success and start once again on the No. 1 tee beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET alongside Purdue (t-5th, 33 over) and Northwestern (8th, 35 over). The morning tee time and start on the front nine may favor the Lady Raiders as each stroke becomes more and more crucial.
“I think the front nine favors them well,” Robertson said. “At least the player know now that they can handle this golf course. They just have to go out and do the same thing – one hole at a time and one shot at a time.”
Q & A with the Only Native American competing at the NCAA Women’s Division 1 Golf Championships
WHAT ARE YOUR STRENTHS AND WEAKNESSES? GRADE YOURSELF.
Strength – I always try to have a positive outlook on life. You have to stay positive.
Weakness – I want to be a better leader. I think that’s something I can always work on.
HAS THERE BEEN ANY LIFE CHANGING STORIES YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
I don’t know if this counts as life changing, but I think I’m unique in the fact that I am Native American. There aren’t any other Native Americans that I know of or have run into while playing college golf. I’m very proud of my heritage and I think it’s pretty cool to get to represent them this way.
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
Caldwell, Idaho and on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. My tribes are Shoshone, Paiute.
HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR FREE TIME?
I’m a very athletic person. I’m always wanting to play or compete in something. I like going to the recreation center and playing basketball or volleyball with friends, hanging out, watching movies with my teammates. We do a lot together.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST MOTIVATOR?
To be able to become a Native American on the LPGA.
DO YOU HAVE A NICKNAME AND HOW DID YOU GET IT?
Gabby “Get-a-long” or Potato – because I’m from Idaho.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT IN COLLEGE OR MOMENTS?
Traveling to South Carolina for a tournament earlier this year and spending a lot of time with each other over spring break. We rode bikes on the beach one day and it was a lot of fun!
DO YOU HAVE A GOOD LUCK CHARM OR ANY SUPERSITIONS?
I always wear my Native American hair pin in my braid. It’s always in my hair or on my bag with me.
I always mark my golf ball the same way with my Native American tribe name on the side.
WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER GOALS?
- Graduate with my degree from Texas Tech.
- Make it on the LPGA Tour.
- Become a high school guidance counselor on an Indian Reservation and give other a positive outlook on what they can do with their lives based on my experience. Let them know that going to college and doing great things are possible.
