Lady Bulldog Golfers Finish Fifth At Papa John's Collegiate
"Beth was very poised on the golf course today, and I'm proud that she held on to sole position of second place," said head coach Christi Sanders. "Overall, the team had a good finish, but I look for improvements in our next event."
Senior Beth Irwin finished runner-up in the tournament, her collegiate best finish. She shot a 75 in the final round, giving her a three-day total of 220. Miami's Josie Shinn moved ahead of Irwin, shooting a 67 on day three to take home medalist honors.
Sophomore Amanda Mathis also shot a 75, leaving her tied for 10th place, with an event total of 225. Houston, Texas, native Stephanie Godare finished the tournament tied for 28th, shooting a 234, and Pasadena, Maryland, native Julia Huh fired a 76 for tied for 34th place. Huh's performance was her lowest round in her collegiate career. Junior Ashleigh Korzack shot a 79 on the final day to finish tied for 49th.
Taking the team crown was host Miami. The Hurricanes shot a 288, lowest round of the tournament, on the final day, giving them the overall lead by 19 strokes.
The Lady Bulldogs are ranked 28th in the country by the latest GolfWeek Rankings. Germantown, Tenn., native Irwin is 55th in the nation and 14th in the Southeastern Conference. Mathis, from Picayune, Miss., sits 94th in the nation and 23rd in the SEC.
The field included #32 North Carolina State, #37 UNC-Wilmington, #39 Virginia, Alabama, College of Charleston, East Carolina, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, South Florida and Southern Mississippi.
Next, the team travels to Pinehurst, N.C., for the Edwin Watts/Pinehurst Challenge on March 6-8.
Papa John's Collegiate Golf Tournament
1. Miami 296-299-288=883 2. East Carolina Univ. 296-312-294=902 3. Virginia 301-301-305=907 4. USF 304-309-296=909 5. Mississippi State 313-294-304=911 6. N. Car. Wilmington 299-304-314=917 7. Louisville 308-312-300=920 8. North Carolina State 312-308-309=929 9. Kentucky 321-317-300=938 10. College of Charleston 319-311-314=944 11. Alabama 311-318-316=945 12. Southern Mississippi 326-326-319=971 5. Mississippi State 313-294-304=911 2. Beth Irwin 75-70-75=220t10. Amanda Mathis 78-72-75=225t28. Stephanie Godare 81-75-78=234t34. Julia Huh 82-77-76=235t49. Ashleigh Korzack 79-83-79=241