Spartans Move Up To Finish 3rd At Hatter Classic
11/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Nov. 4, 2008
Final Tournament Results in PDF Format
DeLand, Fla. - Behind the solid play of seniors Julie Miller, Richelle Wedzik and Richia Wedzik, the USC Upstate women's golf team turned in its second straight sub-310 score to move up one position and finished third in the Holiday Inn Express/Hatter Fall Classic Tuesday afternoon at Victoria Hills Country Club.
Miller and Richelle Wedzik each turned in 76 scores Tuesday, while Richia Wedzik added a 77 as Upstate carded a 309 team score. The effort was good enough to move past Bethune-Cookman and into third place in the final scoring. Bethune-Cookman shot a 313 and dropped into a tie for fourth with Florida Atlantic.
"To improve team positions after every round shows character and competitive fire," said Upstate head coach Todd Lawton. "Our seniors played like they are capable of playing and led a solid final day charge. Third place in a solid field is very good."
"I knew if we played like yesterday afternoon we could possibly move up," said assistant women's golf coach Sandy Halkett, who coached the team throughout the tournament. "All of our top four players were in position to shoot rounds in the 70s throughout the day and I am proud of them to be there. Our short games were strong when needed and the desire to finish well was evident during the round. It was neat for me to have the opportunity to make adjustments to our play as needed and I feel it made a difference."
Stetson won the tournament with a 54-hole total of 895. Daytona State was second with a 920 total and was followed by Upstate (940), Florida Atlantic (942), Bethune-Cookman (942), Mercer (948), Jacksonville (963), Stetson "B" (985) and S.C. State (1038) in the nine-team field.
Richia Wedzik's 77 on the day gave her a 230, 54-hole total to finish seventh in the tournament. The top 10 finish was the nine of her career. Miller and Richelle Wedzik narrowly missed out on top 10 finishes as the duo tied for 11th with a 233 total. Jessica Wofford finished tied for 34th with a 244 total, while Summer Wall, playing in her first tournament as a Spartan, was 43rd with a 271 effort.
"Richia was consistent and played great golf throughout the tournament," said Lawton. "Her seventh-place individual performance is well deserved. Julie and Richelle added depth to Richia's finish by also posting low scores. Its nice to finish the fall on such a positive note."
Stetson's Danielle Jackson won the individual championship with a 220 total. She carded a 71 Tuesday to secure the championship by three strokes over teammate Lauren Cate.
