THE 2017 MEN’S AND WOMAN’S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS OF GOLF NOW UNDERWAY AT RICH HARVEST FARMS in Sugar Grove. Come the women the next three days, and the men starting on Friday. Support your college or Alma-mater. #NCAA ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG BY RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to Rich Harvest Farms and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

NORTHWESTERN expanded it’s lead on day 2 of the Women’s NCAA National Championships at Rich Harvest Farms.

What was a two shot lead after 18 holes in 8 shots after 36 holes. On a day where the weather was not bad early, the temperatures did drop in the afternoon when the wind picked up.

By the time that was happening, the Northwestern Wildcats were almost done with their round, and safely in the clubhouse. There is no doubt that NU has played in the better half of the draw both days, but at the same time the entire team has played solid golf from top to bottom.

What was interesting was that both Sarah Cho of NU, and a Kent State player were both penalized two-shots for accepting a cart ride to the ladies room. While the rules do clearly state no cart rides during the round except for injury W/D, or threatening conditions, when there are no toilets close to the hole the players are playing, and round pace is running six hours, there needs to be a review of this rule.

Northwestern at 599 after two days, and at 23 over par for the championship, is eight shots better than Kent State which is at 607. Stanford is in third place at 609. 10 shots back.

The Wildcats were paced by Kacie Komoto the Sr. from Hawaii who shot an even par round of 72, Cho was in originally at 1 over par 73, that became a 75 with the penalty. Komoto told Golfers on Golf she had only one birdie as her birdie putts were not falling, but all of her par putts were dropping.

Click here to hear the interview with Northwestern Women’s head coach Emily Fletcher.

While Coaches normally look for good spring weather to get good practice in, both Coach Fletcher and her players admit they didn’t have many days this spring to practice in good weather, and that seems to be paying off.

Tomorrow morning the final round will be gin at 7:45 but it will 12:40 before Northwestern’s players start their rounds off the first tee box. The Golf Channel will start broadcasting at 2 PM with a Preround show. Live coverage of third and final round of stroke play will be shown from 3-7 PM, with a post round wrap up after that.

Jennifer Kupcho of Wake Forest university shot a 2 under par score of 70 in round 2, to be the individual leader. She is at even par for 36 holes.