Spartans Finish 9th At A-Sun Championships
4/15/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
April 15, 2009
DeLand, Fla. - On an emotional day for the USC Upstate seniors, the Spartans shot a 316 in the final round of the A-Sun Championships at Victoria Hills Golf Club and finished ninth in the program's first appearance in the conference tournament.
Half of the field saw its scores rise from Tuesday's second round. Upstate found itself in that group as the Spartans shot seven shots higher than they did Tuesday. Upstate, which entered the day two shots back of eighth place and within 10 strokes of a top-5 finish, could not make up any ground and finished with a 947 total. The Spartans claimed ninth place by two shots over Lipscomb in 10th and five shots behind Mercer at 942 in eighth.
"It was a beautiful day today and I am proud of the way our seniors finished their careers," said Upstate head coach Todd Lawton. "Even though they had a rough start collectively, the last three holes were great for everyone.
"There were a lot of hugs followed by many tears behind the 18th green for all of us. What an incredible emotion to see our first graduating class compete in our first A-Sun Championship and kick off what I hope is a great future for the program."
Stetson, playing on its home course, rallied from three strokes down beginning the final round to post a 288 to win the championship and earn the A-Sun's automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals. The Hatters finished with an 881 total, two shots ahead of Campbell in second. The Fighting Camels finished at 883 and was followed by East Tennessee State (904), Kennesaw State (923), Florida Gulf Coast (927), Jacksonville (927), Belmont (929), Mercer (942), Upstate (947) and Lipscomb (949).
Richelle Wedzik was the low Spartan in the tournament, leading the way for Upstate by finishing the tournament in a tie for 18th. She carded a 79 in the final round to finish with a 232 total. She closed out her career with her 17th top-20 finish at Upstate.
"Richelle hit the par-5 18th in two and had a makeable eagle putt," said Lawton. "It just barely missed and her tap in birdie ensured a top-20 finish. She has led us in so many events and I was excited to walk with her on the last three holes of her career."
Jennifer Judge, the only non-senior to play in the tournament for Upstate, led the team on the day with a 78. She took a triple on the ninth hole and a double on the 14th to prevent her from turning in a low score. She played the back nine at 2-over-par and finished tied for 32nd.
"Jennifer continued her back nine strong performance with a birdie and three pars on her last four holes for a 78," said Lawton. "It was our low round today."
Julie Miller, who turned in an 81 in the final round Wednesday, was the third-lowest Spartan in the tournament. She finished tied for 38th with a 240 total. Miller was joined at 240 by Audrey Church. Church carded a 79 Wednesday to improve her individual finish. Richia Wedzik shot 80 and finished tied for 42nd with a 242 total.
"Julie had a bad start and fought through some misses to contribute to our success," said Lawton. "Her putting let her down and her scores weren't as low as she wanted but I know she's proud of her accomplishments as our first women's golfer ever. Audrey posted her second round in a row in the 70's and was very steady and remained focused despite some errant shots. Her commitment to finishing her best was exciting. Richia paced us today in the first group off the tee and her back nine score improved from the front. A few missed shots prevented what could have been a really low score, but golf just doesn't give that."
Stetson's Danielle Jackson went low, finishing with a 3-under-par 69 to win the individual championship. Her 3-under-par total claimed the championship by two shots over teammate Lauren Cate at 215.
