Upstate Women's Golf Locks In For Big South Championships at Fripp Island
4/13/2024 6:57:00 PM | Women's Golf
Share:
FRIPP ISLAND, SC -- USC Upstate women's golf team heads south to the South Carolina coast to compete in the Big South Championships. The Spartans enter as the third overall seed but expect to compete for the top spot on the leaderboard. In the first flight, Upstate will be paired with the top seeds, High Point and Charleston Southern. Team seeds are based on Clippd's National Rankings.
Head Coach Todd Lawton said, "As a team, this group has put in a lot of good work over the season. We've been fortunate to have the opportunity to play a lot of coastal golf this spring and see the type of facilities that Fripp is like. I'm looking forward to Fripp itself. It's a beautiful course that is challenging and always in excellent condition. The staff is prepared for this--which is very exciting."
Quick Hitters:
The Spartans won the Big South Preview in November, held at Fripp Island Golf Resort, by shooting 301-300-601 as a team.
Sophomore Rylie Kosney led the way in that tournament carding 74-73-147 and finishing third.
Preaw Nontarux currently is the highest-ranked Spartan women's golfer at 540, per Clippd. Nontarux has placed in the Top 10 in 6 of 10 tournaments with a 535-109-23 record against other individuals this year.
This is the first time the Big South Championships are held at Fripp Island Golf Resort.
Nontarux looks to cap off the 2024 season with a win.Tournament Information:
Big South Championships | April 14-17
Fripp Island, SC | Fripp Island Golf Resort Live Stats for Championship
Tournament Schedule:
Sun., April 14
8:00am - Practice Round (Shotgun)
1:30pm - First Round (Shotgun)
#1 High Point, #2 Charleston Southern, #3 USC Upstate (Holes 1, 2, 4, 6, 7)
#4 UNC Asheville, #5 Radford, #6 Longwood (Holes 8-12)
#7 Winthrop, #8 Gardner-Webb, #9 Presbyterian (Holes 13, 14, 16, 17, 18) Mon., April 15
Second Round (based on 18-hole scores) – Hole 1
8:00-8:36am - 7th, 8th, 9th-place teams
8:54-9:30am - 4th, 5th, 6th-place teams
9:48-10:24am - 1st, 2nd, 3rd-place teams Tues., April 16
Final Round (based on 36-hole scores) – Hole 1
8:00-8:36am - 7th, 8th, 9th-place teams
8:54-9:30am - 4th, 5th, 6th-place teams
9:48-10:24am - 1st, 2nd, 3rd-place teams Wed., April 17
Match Play – Semifinals
8:00am - No. 1 vs. No. 4 (Hole 1)
8:05am - No. 2 vs. No. 3 (Hole 10)
Match Play – Finals
1:30pm - 1/4 Winner vs. 2/3 Winner
Kosney will occupy the first spot for the Spartans this week. Scouting The Field (Clippd National Ranking):
Ella Perna (393) - High Point University: The sophomore from Durham has been hot of late with two top-five finishes in non-match play events.
Anna Howerton (370) - High Point University: The freshman won the UNCG collegiate in October. Howerton has two other top-three finishes on the year and spent time ranked as high as 231 in the country.
Caroline Engelbredt (441) - Charleston Southern: The senior from Denmark is a two-time all-conference performer. Engelbredt is a model of consistency, although no wins this season, she has finished in the top-13 in five of her seven tournaments.
Madyson Gold (587) - UNC Asheville: Gold, a senior from Ft. Lauderdale, FL has two top-three finishes on the year. She has a 573-166-26 record against other individual golfers on the year.
Macy Johnson (788) - Radford: Johnson as a Freshman has led Radford for the majority of the year. She won the Elon Invitational in September.
About The Course:
Ocean Point Golf Links, Fripp Island Resort's original golfing jewel, stands out as one of South Carolina's premier golf destinations, nestled in one of the state's most exquisite resorts. Since opening its fairways in 1964, this oceanfront treasure, designed by the illustrious George Cobb – a design consultant for Augusta National and a mastermind behind several Major Championship venues – has offered golfers a unique and breathtaking experience. Cobb's design excellence is vividly displayed at Ocean Point, with five of its holes featuring unparalleled ocean views, enriching your golfing journey with stunning coastal panoramas and capturing the true spirit of seaside golf.
"The Point" is celebrated for its small, well-bunkered greens, demanding meticulous accuracy in iron play. Understanding the coastal breeze's impact, Cobb ingeniously allowed players the option to run the ball onto the majority of the greens, a strategy that becomes crucial on windy days. This design philosophy not only showcases Cobb's mastery but also highlights the symbiotic relationship between the golfer, the course, and the natural elements. A round at Ocean Point is a dance with the coastal winds, a challenge of skill, and an immersion into the grandeur of nature's beauty.
Weather Report: Sunday, April 14th: Expect mainly sunny skies with a high of 76°F. Winds will start from the WNW and shift to the SSW at 10 to 15 mph. There's a minimal 5% chance of rain. Monday, April 15th: Similar to Sunday, it will be mainly sunny, with temperatures reaching near 80°F. Winds will be from the WSW at 10 to 15 mph. There's a 5% chance of rain. Tuesday, April 16th: Skies will be partly cloudy with a high of around 76°F. Winds will be from the SSW at 10 to 15 mph. There's a slightly increased 10% chance of rain. Wednesday, April 17th: Expect cloudy conditions with a high of 76°F. Winds will be from the south at 10 to 15 mph. There's a 10% chance of rain.
Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateMWGolf | @UpstateSpartans
Instagram | @UpstateSpartans
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
