University of Minnesota Athletics
2016-17 Women's Golf Roster

Niamh Ward
- Class:
- Sophomore
- High School:
- St. Michael's School
- Hometown:
- Lurgan, Northern Ireland
2016-17 | SOPHOMORE SEASON:
Competed in eight tournaments, averaging 81.92 strokes per round • Best finish of the season came at the Minnesota Invitational, placing 60th (83-89-78—250, +34) while competing individually • Tied for 92nd at the Lady Paladin Invitational (78-78-82—238, +22) as an individual •Was part of the lineup and finished 67th at the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational (79-80-79—238, +22) • Closed fall competition by finishing 91st at the Cardinal Cup, competing individually (84-88-83—255, +39) • Ended fall with a 81.75 scoring average • Finished 63rd at the Florida State Match Up as an individual (81-79-78—238, +22) • Competed in the lineup for her final three tournaments, finishing 85th at the Hurricane Invitational (84-82-81—247, +31), T-73rd at the Lady Buckeye Spring Invitational (88-84-82—254, +38), and 71st at the Big Ten Championships (83-81-82—246, +29).
2015-16 | FRESHMAN SEASON:
Competed at five tournaments including twice in the lineup • Began collegiate career at the Minnesota Invitational, finished tied for 44th as an individual competitor (74-83-76—233, +17) • Entered the lineup and finished tied for 60th at the Mercedes-Benz Championships (78-74-78—230, +17) • Finished T-88th at the Hurricane Invitational (75-87-79—241, +28) • Placed T-69th at the Mountain View Collegiate Invitational (76-78-78—232, +16) • Earned best finish of the season at the Big Ten Championships, tying for 39th at six-over-par (73-72-77—222).
HIGH SCHOOL:
Was a member of the Irish girls team from 2012-14 • earned All-Ulster honors in 2013 and won the All-Ireland Schools Championship her final two years in high school • competed for Ireland at the European Girls Championship in 2014 along with the British Junior Girls Championship • finished second at the Ulster Women’s Open Championship in August, and placed ninth at the Irish Girls Under 18 Open Stroke Play Championship.
PERSONAL:
Parents are Deirdre and Lawrence Ward • has three siblings: Eadaoin, Eimear and Deirbhile • most memorable sports thrill is holing a 25-foot putt to win her first tournament • has played the piano since sixth grade • plans to major in accounting and finance.
CAREER BESTS
Round: | 72 - Big Ten Championships (4/23/16) |
Finish: | T-39th - Big Ten Championships (4/22/16 - 4/24/16) |
Tournament Score: | 222 - Big Ten Championships (4/22/16 - 4/24/16) |
Tour. Score to Par: | +6 - Big Ten Championships (4/22/16 - 4/24/16) |
CAREER STATS
Year | Tournaments | Rounds | Strokes | Average | Low Round |
2015-16 | 5 | 15 | 1158 | 77.20 | 72 |
2016-17 | 8 | 24 | 1966 | 81.92 | 78 |
Totals | 13 | 39 | 3124 | 80.10 | 72 |