DWU senior Dani Bellet chips out of a bunker on No. 3 at Link Hills Country Club during the final round of the national tournament. Bellet tied for 10th.
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – After the first day of the NAIA Women’s Golf National Championships Tuesday afternoon, Dakota Wesleyan University senior Dani Bellet was in the top 40. After the second round, she had moved into the top 20.
Bellet made her move into the top 10 in the third round, and that’s where she ended the final tournament of her collegiate career Friday afternoon. The Lead, S.D., native, finished in a five-way tie for 10th in her fourth and final appearance at the national tournament. It is the second best finish of her career after finishing in second last season as a junior.
Bellet carded a four-round total of 300, which is one stroke better than her nationals finish last season. She carded a three-over 76 in Friday’s fourth and final round at Link Hills Country Club in Greeneville, Tenn. She shot a 77 on the first day, 75 on the second and a one-under 72 in Thursday’s third round. She tied for 10th with Bethel’s (Ind.) Jessica Layman, Savannah College of Art & Design’s Nikki Stewart, Shorter’s Pauline Schoop and Thomas University’s Jessica Macphee.
Bellet – who teed off on No. 10 – was one over after playing the first nine holes of her final round, and immediately shaved two strokes off her score on the 10th hole when she eagled No. 1. She bogeyed three holes and then, after a 45-minute backup heading into the final hole of the tournament, she scored a one-over on No. 9 in the last hole of her career as a Tiger.
Bellet wraps up one of the most decorated athletic careers in DWU history with a second top-10 finish in the nation and an all-tournament team nod for making the top 15. She is also hoping for a third-straight All-American honor, which will be announced next week. She also earned Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete accolades, it was announced Thursday afternoon.
Victoria’s Megan Woodland won the individual title with an even-par 292. Oklahoma Christian’s Anna Arrese Cortadellas took second with a 293 and William Woods’ Jamie Palermo was third with a 295. British Columbia won the team title with a 1,211 and Savannah College of Art & Design took second with a 1,213.
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