12th ranked Barton women's golf third in Plains District Championship; Sukasem's final round charge punches national tournament ticket #GoBarton

The 12th ranked Barton Community College women's golf team placed all five entries in the top twenty-four Tuesday in finishing 3rd overall at Region VI/Plains District Tournament held at Junction City's Rolling Meadows Golf Course.

The Cougars compiled an 88-over 664 following rounds of 339 and strong closing 325 to trail 3rd ranked Dodge City Community College by thirteen strokes for the District's final team qualifier and Region VI title winner. Winning the District was 5th ranked Iowa Western Community College as the Reivers seized the title with a 45-over 621.

As a team, the Cougars play the waiting game in hopes of receiving a wild card entry to the NJCAA Division I Championships held May 9-12 at Mayfair Country Club in Sanford, Florida.  A committee selection announcement is slated on Wednesday.

In addition to the top two teams automatically qualifying for the national competition, three individuals not on a qualifying team also punched their ticket for the year end big show.

Making a final day charge of 6-over, the Cougars' Pawinee Sukasem bettered a par of teammates in grab the final spot joining Central Wyoming College's Aubree Johnson (+17) and Des Moines Community College's Ashley Michel (+18) as the trio of individual qualifiers.

Sukasem sat in a five-way tie for 12th position overall after day one's 86 round, fifth on the pecking list for the coveted top three spot. Compiling a 20-over 164 to earn the spot in the two-day event, Sukasem place tied for 8th overall in the 48th entry field.

Paulina Villavicencio opened with a sixth best round of 9-over 81, second amongst the individuals.  Taking an insect sting in the closing hole of the round, Villavicencio prevailed through the lingering effects but slid into the fourth spot two strokes back with a final round 13-over 85 to finish in an 11th place tie overall.

Teammate Pornnapa Inmee joined Villavicencio at the 22-over 166 total, carding a Monday 87 before making a final day charge of 7-over 79 to become the second Cougar to break 80 matching Sukasem's eight stroke round improvement.

Despite a second day improvement, Mathanee Pandee slipped three spots in the final overall standings to 13th at 24-over 168 with 85-83 rounds.

Moving four spots up the final leaderboard to 24th, Matilyn Newman shaved seven strokes off an opening 93 in carding an 86 to wrap up the tournament at 35-over 179.

2022 Region VI/Plains District Championship results:  Team   Individuals