OWENSBORO, Ky. (09.19.09) - Bethel University golfer Baillie Johnson, a sophomore from Pickwick, Tenn. fired a second round 78 to capture the individual championship of the Brescia University Bearcat Invitational on Saturday. The two day 36-hole event was played at Ben Hawes State Park in Owensboro, Ky. Schools competing included host Brescia, local favorite Kentucky Wesleyan, Oakland City University of Indiana and Bethel University.
Courtney Wallace of Kentucky Wesleyan shot 81 to lead after Friday's first round. The field was crowded at the top following the first round as Bethel's Emily Muse and Baillie Johnson both shot 83 to join seven golfers within two shots of the lead. Bethel's team score of 351 was good enough for third place after day one; trailing both Kentucky Wesleyan (333) and Brescia (342) and leading Oakland City.
The second round was played in windy and partly-cloudy conditions which were identical to the first day as predicted rain never materialized. Courtney Wallace of team champion Kentucky Wesleyan repeated her opening score of 81 for a two-day total of 162 one shot shy of Baillie Johnson' 83-78 (161). Bethel's Emily Muse added a 87 to her first day 83 for a two day total of 170, freshman Jessica Maness of Lexington shot 93-82 (175) to join senior Hayley Williams, Trenton, 92-88 (180) in compiling a second-day total of 335, a sixteen shot improvement. Despite the fine second day score Bethel could not overcome the first day deficit and finished third at 351-335 (686) to Wesleyan's 333-339 (672) and Brescia's 342-333 (675). Oakland City University finished fourth. Bethel's Freshman Kelsey Schwartz of Bartlett shot 94-94 (188) in her collegiate debut.