Kate Castle and Women’s Golf post top-10 finishes at NAIA National Championship

SILVIS, Ill. (May 26, 2023) – The Milligan University women's golf team made program history as the Buffs finished ninth overall at the 2023 NAIA National Championship at TPC Deere Run on Friday.

Milligan concluded the event with four round score of 1255, a single stroke behind eighth-place Southeastern. In round two, Milligan posted the low round of the day with a 302. With 34 total birdies, the Buffs had the second-most holes under par, only behind third-place Oklahoma City. British Columbia captured the team national championship by 29 strokes with a total score of 1199.

Kate Castle posted the top individual finish at the NAIA National Championship in program history as she finished six shots off the national champion, MaKayla Tyrrell of Oklahoma City, to tie for seventh at 300 strokes. Castle was the daily leader on Tuesday as she shot an even-par 71. She added rounds of 77, 76, 76 in the first, third and fourth rounds, respectively. Castle's 13 birdies were the most by an individual player at the national championship.

Gabby Hammond tied for 39th at 317 strokes and turned in a low round of 73 on Tuesday. Sarah Castle broke 80 three times on her way to a 45th-place showing at 320 strokes.

Alayna Perryman closed the tournament with a 77 as she finished tied for 53rd. In her national championship debut, Mallory TeVrucht placed 70th.

Milligan broke records for best team and individual finish at the NAIA National Championship in 2023. The Buffs' previous top team finish came in 2021 when Milligan tied for 10th. Sarah Son held Milligan's former record for top individual finish when she placed 26th in 2017.