Sept. 19-20, Ball State women’s golf placed fifth out of 12 teams, shooting 894 at the Brittany Kelly Cardinal Classic. Junior Kiah Parrott shot 9-under-par (207) for the tournament, beating the school record by seven strokes [previously 214]. 

The Cardinals lineup consisted of junior Kiah Parrott, freshman Jasmine Driscoll, freshman Sarah Gallagher, graduate student Payton Broce, and sophomore Payton Bennett.

Ball State hosted the Brittany Kelly Cardinal Classic at The Players Club at Woodland Trails in Yorktown, Indiana.

“[We] are getting a little more comfortable, part of that is being on our home golf course where we are even more comfortable,” head coach Cameron Andry said. “This is a step in the right direction.”

Monday - Round One 

Parrott shot a 5-under-par score of 67, this score would put her in the record books for the second lowest round in Ball State school history.

“I think since this was my first home tournament it was kind of bittersweet and it meant a little more,” Parrott said. “It was in honor of Brittany Kelly so that made it even more special.”

Gallagher posted an even-par 72, in her first round he had five birdies. Driscoll shot 6-over-par 78, Broce finished the first round at 11-over-par 83 and Bennett shot 15-over-par 87.

“With this being our home course I know it really well and that helped,” Gallagher said. “I also had coach Val with me and that really helped. [Playing at home] as a player gives me a lot more confidence and it is really nice to have a lot of supporters out.”

Monday - Round Two 

Parrott again would lower herself under par, posting a 4-under-par performance for a combined score of 9-under-par. After the second day, Parrott would be the leader in the clubhouse individually. 

“Just being at a home event definitely means more than being away,” Parrott said. “Espeissaily since we are on our home turf and I think having my parents [and] my grandpa here just means even more and makes it a little bit better.”

Broce would improve by 10 strokes compared to her first round, shooting 1-over-par 73 in her second round. 

After her even-par showing, Gallagher added three strokes in the second round, shooting 3-over-par 75. Driscoll finished the second round with 5-over-par 77, followed by Bennett who shot 9-over-par 81. 

Tuesday - Round Three

Parrott came into the final round with a five-stroke lead in individuals, her even-par 72 would give her the individual winner by four strokes and the 54-hole school record.

Gallagher led the Cardinals in the final round with 1-under-par 71. 

“It was really great to finish under par,” Gallagher said. “This whole last summer I was really struggling, I was right on the edge of being under par. It was definitely a goal this week to finish a round under par. It was pretty up and down. I didn't hit that many great shots, it was a lot of chipping and putting. I chipped in on the last hole to get under par which was really nice.”

Driscoll shot 6-over-par 78, Broce posted 7-over-par 79 and Bennett shot 10-over-par 82. 

Parrott, who played in her first home competition due to injuries in past years, also received her first collegiate individual win. 

“It is a testament to her hard work and the competitor that she is,” Andry said. “I think she is elite in those regards, just the level of work that she puts in and just the passion with which she competes. She is healthy, you know she has been this caliber player but with battling injuries, she has not been able to show it. I think all those things combined really allowed her to have a great week.”

The women's golf team will travel to Highland Golf and Country Club in Indianapolis to compete in the Butler Fall Invitational from Oct. 3-4. 

Contact Elijah Poe with comments at elijah.poe@bsu.edu or on Twitter @ElijahPoe4.

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