University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Winthrop Invitational
Spartans End the Fall with a Third-Place Effort at Winthrop Invitational
11/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Rock Hill, S.C. – After having the first round of the tournament canceled due to poor weather conditions on Saturday, the USC Upstate women's golf team posted a 331 Sunday afternoon to finish third at the Winthrop Invitational to close out the fall season.
The 36-hole tournament was changed to an 18-hole shootout on Sunday after rain, snow, wind and cold temperatures caused Saturday's first round to be canceled. Upstate's third-place finish was its top of the season as the Spartans placed ahead of six teams in the tournament. The Spartans counted scores of 82 from Rachel Reiling and Allea Hawkins, 83 from Payton Culler and 84 from Sidney Dermody. Only three players finished under 80 in the tournament in difficult positions.
Appalachian State won the tournament after posting a 323. The Mountaineers were followed on the leaderboard by Wofford (328), Upstate (331), Winthrop (332), Quuens (N.C.) (335), Gardner-Webb (341), Bethune-Cookman (343), Presbyterian (350) and Savannah State (383). Appalachian State's Madalyn Davis and Wofford's Lauren Dunbar finished as co-medalists after shooting 78.
"The overall team scores today were a good indication of the tough conditions," said Upstate assistant coach Audrey Church. "The greens were firm and unpredictable, especially after yesterday's rain. We got off to a rough start, but were able to adjust and had a strong finish. Nothing exceptional happened for us, however, a day like today definitely tests your mental strength and the girls fought through it and held on."
Reiling and Hawkins finished tied for eighth place in the tournament, while Culler claimed a tie for 12th to give the Spartans three players in the Top 15. Dermody finished tied for 22nd, while Kinsey Soniat was tied for 37th after shooting a 91. Allie Gennaula, playing as an individual, posted a 90 and finished 36th.
"This was a good way to finish the fall," said Church. "It has given us that last bit of excitement and motivation we need to work hard during the off season and be prepared for the spring."
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