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Shelton State Community College

Women’s Golf Takes 13-Shot Lead into Final Round; Katie Hallmark Shoots 73 to Move Into First Place

Women’s Golf Takes 13-Shot Lead into Final Round; Katie Hallmark Shoots 73 to Move Into First Place
May 15, 2026
TUSCALOOSA - The No. 1 ranked Shelton State Community College women's golf team takes a 13-shot lead into the final round of the 2026 NJCAA Women's National Championship Tournament at the Ol' Colony Golf Club.
Shelton State shot a 321 (+33) on Thursday and sits at +94 heading into the final18 holes on Friday. Murray State is a plus-107 after shooting a 325 for the second straight day.
"We had another solid round going, but once again, gave strokes away on the last three holes," head coach Chris Sanford said. "While I am happy we have a 13-shot lead, it very easily could have been 17 or more and that is a big difference in the game of golf.  
"They will have to be strong mentally and emotionally tomorrow and handle what their games and the elements throw at them.  I told them it may get uncomfortable tomorrow, and you have to be able to deal with it and keep focusing on each shot."
Sophomore Katie Hallmark, one of two returning players off last year's National Championship team, turned in the best individual round on Thursday to take over the top spot. Hallmark shot a 73 in the third round and is +11 heading into the finale round. She had a three-shot lead over Southern Union's Kylee Lynn, who is +14 through 54 holes.
"I was very proud of Katie,' Sanford added. "She had an excellent round on a tough day, and she and the team have a great opportunity lying in front of them. Hopefully, we can follow through with it."
Shelton State freshman Emma Bark, who was the tournament leader after 36 holes, is tied with NE Mississippi's Andie Kate Ramsey for fifth place at +18 overall. Bark, who shot 76 in the first two rounds, scored an 82 on Thursday.
No. 4 Wallace State (+138), No. 6 Southern Union (+141) and No. 5 Jeff State (+153) round out the top five team scores.
Freshman Riley Fritz shot a 38 on the front nine on Thursday and finished with an 84. Her three-day total sits at +32, good for 14th place overall.
Sophomore Sawyer Hobbs, who was also a member of last year's National Championship team, shot an even par 36 on the back nine on Thursday to finish +10 for the day. She is in 16th place overall with a +33 total.
Freshman Katie Brannon had two birdies on Thursday and finished with an 85. She is currently 26th with a +38 total.
Shelton State (Bark and Hallmark) and Murray State (Amiya Raja and Paula Grorstiaga) are the only two schools with multiple players in the Top 10 scorers.
The final round of the four-day event will be held on Friday, May 15 at 8 a.m.
Team Leaders (After Day Three)
Shelton State                      +94
Murray State                      +107
Wallace State                     +138
Southern Union                 +141
Jeff State                             +153
Jacksonville (Texas)           +157
Florida Gateway                +157
Mesa CC                             +164
Des Moines Area CC         +196
NW Mississippi                  +199
Individual Leaders (After Day Three)
Katie Hallmark (Shelton State)     +11
Kylee Lynn (Southern Union)          +14
Amiya Raja (Murray Stare)              +17
Mallory Brooks (Wallace State)     +17
Andi Kate Ramey (NE Mississippi) +18
Emma Bank (Shelton State)           +18
Karlee Gainey (Murray State)         +22
Paige Hill (Jacksonville)                   +26
Abree Germaine (Mesa CC)            +26