LARCHWOOD, Iowa – Northwest Missouri State University sophomore Paige Hoffman became the first Bearcat women's golfer to qualify for the NCAA Championship meet by earning an at-large bid courtesy of her play in the Central Region tournament held at The Falls at Grand Falls Casino Golf Course.
 
The top three teams in Henderson State, Augustana and Nebraska-Kearney qualified for the NCAA Championship meet. The final NCAA championship qualifying spots went to the top two individuals not on a qualifying team. Hoffman and Northeastern State's Yasmin Hang gained their berth to the NCAA Championship with the two at-large spots.
 
Hang captured medalist honors in the tournament with a three-round total of 4-under par (212). Hoffman carded a final round 75 for a three-round total of even-par golf (216). Hoffman also recorded her 11th top-10 finish of the season in 12 tournaments.
 
Individual Scoring
1. Yasmin Hang (Northeastern State)            74-69-69=212*
2. Jinna Boonbumroongsuk (Henderson St.) 72-70-71=213
3. Paige Hoffman (Northwest Mo. St.)           68-73-75=216*
3. Gracen Blount (Henderson State)              76-75-65=216
5. Allison Comer (Nebraska-Kearney)            70-76-72=218
* - Individual At-Large NCAA Championship Qualifier
 
The 2023 NCAA Div. II national championship meet is set for May 16-20 at Fox Run Golf Club in Eureka, Mo.
 
Hoffman began her 18-hole journey on Wednesday by making three consecutive pars. She ran into a bit of trouble at the par-4 No. 4 hole with a double bogey that dropped her back into a three-way tie for the lead in the tournament at 1-under par. Hoffman bounced back and recorded two pars at No. 5 and No. 6.
 
Hoffman registered her eighth birdie of the tournament on the par-5, 7th hole to move to 2-under for the tourney. Hoffman scored a three on the par-3 eighth hole and was a shot off the tournament lead held by Henderson State's Jinna Boonbumrooongsuk at 3-under par. Hoffman also scored a par on her ninth hole of the day.
 
Boonbumroongsuk, who is ranked No. 24 in GolfStat's NCAA Div. II individual national rankings, dropped a shot on her seventh hole of the day to Hoffman back into the tournament lead at 2-under par.
 
Hoffman put together a steady round as she notched pars on 11 straight holes from No. 8 through No. 17. Boonbumroongsuk birdied her 10th hole to take a one-shot lead over Hoffman at 3-under par.
 
NSU's Hang catapulted into a tie for the lead when she corralled a pair of birdies on her 15th and 16th holes of the day. Hang and Boonbumroongsuk were knotted at 3-under as Hang had two holes remaining.
 
Hang took sole possession of the tournament lead with her third consecutive birdie on No. 8, her 17th hole of the day, to move to 4-under. Hang notched a par on her final hole for a final-round 69 that put her at 4-under for the tournament.
 
Hoffman ended her round with a double-bogey at No. 18 to close out her three-round play.