Hannah Ulibarri struggled to an 8-over 80 in the second round of the NAIA Women's Golf National Championships Thursday to finish at 12-over for the first 36 holes, missing the cut by one stroke.
The senior, who won the GSAC championship by four strokes last month, entered the competition at the Eagle Crest Golf Club in Ypsilanti, Mich. ranked as the No. 9 golfer in the NAIA.
"Today was definitely a struggle because usually either my putting, chipping, or ball striking can make up for some bad shots," Ulibarri said. 'But today I didn't really have anything to fall back on. I got great advice from coach all day and I can genuinely say I gave it my best out there. I am just a bit disappointed in my lack of execution. Today was just another opportunity for me to remember that the Lord gives me what I need, and not necessarily what I want, and it is always for my good in the end. I thank the Lord for even allowing me to come to nationals in the first place."
"It was just a rough day honestly," said TMU Head Coach Luke Brueckner. "She started off pretty well, but just made a couple mistakes on the greens (a few 3 putts). Doing that, plus a couple of misses on the fairway were just too big to recover from. She just didn't really have her best stuff (Thursday)."
Inclement weather on Tuesday shortened the 72-hole tournament to 54 holes, with the final round being played Friday. The top 15 teams plus ties, as well as the top six individual players, will compete in Friday's final round.
After an opening round 4-over 76 that she started Tuesday but had to finish Wednesday, Ulibarri followed with Thursday's 80.
But the moment turned special as she walked up the final hole of her collegiate career. With both of her parents in attendance and her father working as an assistant coach on the team, he was allowed to make that final walk up 18.
"She's bummed that she missed (the cut), but she competed with such joy and we had a blast out there," Coach Brueckner said. "It was super cool to be out there with her for both rounds. As sad as it was to see her miss the cut, her parents were out here and her dad got to walk with her up 18. It was a cool father/daughter moment to wrap up her college career."
No female golfer has had the impact on The Master's women's golf program like
Hannah Ulibarri. She won seven times in her career, was the NAIA Runner-Up her freshman year, the first woman to shoot a round under par on the team, and had a career-low 66 earlier this year.
"These last four years as a TMU golfer has been so full of blessings that it's honestly hard for me to be disappointed in a less-than-ideal ending," Ulibarri said. "He has not only given me many positive results to look back on, but most importantly, he has given me teammates who have now become my sisters, coaches who have diligently helped me grow, and fun memories that I will forever cherish. I will forever love my time at TMU, and I hope to frequently come support my fellow teammates who are still fighting on. Go Stangs!"
"I'm super thankful for Hannah and all the time and effort whe has put into our program," Coach Brueckner said. "It's been cool to watch her grow in both her faith and her golf the last four years. I'm super stoked for her future and the life she will have."
