Women's Golf 5/8/2024 5:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

Broncho Golf Season Ends At Regional Championship

UCO Finished Eighth Following Final Round Wednesday In Bartlesville

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – Central Oklahoma's 2023-24 season came to a close Wednesday afternoon at Hillcrest Country Club with the conclusion of the NCAA Division II Women's Golf Central Region Championships where the Bronchos finished eighth in the team standings.

UCO posted a 54-hole score of 949 (315-316-318). Henderson State won the team title with a 30-over-par 894 (299-303-292). Southwestern Oklahoma State (298-300-302 – 900) and Rogers State (305-306-296 – 907), along with HSU, advance to the national championships in Florida later this month. Rogers State had the individual regional champion in Lydia Sitorus (72-71-71 – 214).

"First I'd like to thank the seniors for everything they've done for the program and everything they've given for the last four and five years," UCO head women's golf coach Michael Bond said. "We got to play in one more tournament than most teams in the country and that's good. It didn't go our way here this week, but we are grateful for the opportunity to play. For the rest of the team, we'll take a little break and start getting ready for the fall soon."

UCO senior Mika Ramos, from Tulsa, led the Bronchos all week at Hillcrest. She finished 16th in the individual standings at 13-over par with a 229. After posting a 2-over-par 74 on Monday, Ramos came back with a 5-over 77 on Tuesday, and then finished today with a 6-over 78.

Another senior, Emma Shelley, who is from Bartlesville, wrapped up her illustrious career this week at the home course. Shelley moved up three spots on the final day of her career, finishing 44th at regionals with a 29-over-par 245. Shelley posted rounds of 81-85-79 this week.

With three rounds played this week, Shelley moved up to fifth on Central Oklahoma's all-time career rounds played list at 104 (2019-24). Her 31 rounds played last season are tied for first in school history and her 29 rounds played this season are tied for 10th most in any season in school history (2003-24).

Ramos joins Shelley in multiple sections of the UCO record book. Ramos also played 31 rounds in 2022-23, tying for most ever with three others including Shelley. Her 29 rounds this season will also be tied with Shelley for 10th on the single season rounds played list. And with those 29 rounds this season, Ramos finishes her career with 94 career rounds of golf at UCO, the eighth most in school history.

Jirasuda Khunarak, a senior from Thailand who intends to utilize a fifth year from the pandemic, finished her second year with the Bronchos tied for 32nd at regionals. Khunarak posted a 23-over-par 239, shooting 82-79-78 this week.

A pair of true freshmen were also in the lineup along with the veteran Bronchos.

Scarlet Sturch, from Durant, Oklahoma, finished 43rd one shot in front of Shelley. Sturch posted a 28-over-par 244, shooting 79-82-83 this week. Estela Castillo, from Spain, finished tied for 46th with a 31-over-par 247. Castillo shot 81-85-79 this week.

Central Oklahoma finished in the top 10 in 9 of 12 tournaments this season, finishing in the top five in 5 of 12. The Bronchos have made 13 consecutive regional championship appearances since 2010, sans the canceled 2020 season.

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Players Mentioned

Jirasuda Khunarak: 5' 6"; Senior

Mika Ramos: 5' 0"; Senior

Emma Shelley: 5' 5"; Senior

Estela Castillo: 5' 5"; Freshman

Scarlet Sturch: 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Jirasuda Khunarak
: 5' 6"; Senior

Mika Ramos
: 5' 0"; Senior

Emma Shelley
: 5' 5"; Senior

Estela Castillo
: 5' 5"; Freshman

Scarlet Sturch
: 5' 7"; Freshman