NASHVILLE, Tenn.?The University of Kentucky women?s golf team concluded round three of the Mason Rudolph Invitational in a tie for 14th place behind junior Mallory Blackwelder?s top-10 finish Sunday.
The Lady Wildcats carded a final round score of 309, concluding play at +41 (290-306-309). UCLA took home team honors after shooting an astounding team score of 13 under par.
?Obviously we are disappointed with how we finished today,? said Head Coach Myra Blackwelder. ?But, we can take a lot of positives from this tournament. We?ve begun to take baby steps toward reaching some of the team goals we have this season.?
The Blue and White appeared in a field that included the nation?s top nine ranked teams, and 15 of the top 27. Mallory Blackwelder enjoyed a stellar final round shooting an even par 72 to conclude the tournament a stroke under par, good for ninth place. Blackwelder?s top-10 performance among the nation?s elite field of individuals marks the fourth top-10 finish of her young career.
Blackwelder?s top-10 finish, in the first tournament of the season, matches the total number of individual top-10 finishes during the 2006-07 campaign.
Furthering the positive moves made for the Lady Wildcats was sophomore Erica Still who fired an opening round score of 71, a personal best collegiate round. Still concluded the tournament in a tie for 42nd after shooting a final round 80.
Senior Elizabeth Dotson began making strides as she continues to shake off an injury plagued junior campaign. Dotson strung together three rounds in the 70s (77-78-79), already bettering three round total of all of last season. The senior tied for 77th in Nashville.
Making their first starts donning the Blue and White, freshman Louise Ljungstedt and sophomore Kristin Vincent rounded out the team?s scoring. Ljungstedt placed in a tie for 80th, while Vincent turned in an 83rd performance. Ljungstedt began the week firing an opening round 73, a great way to begin her collegiate career. Vincent concluded her tournament with a low round in the third (78).
?Each girl can take some positives from this tournament,? said Blackwelder. ?They?re all working hard on their games, and we?ll just need to regroup and get ready for our home event.?
Kentucky returns to action when they play host to the annual Lady Wildcat Fall Invitational in two weeks. The three day event begins Sat., Sept. 29.
WILDCAT SCORES
9-Mallory Blackwelder (69-74-72) -1
T42-Erica Still (71-73-80) +8
T77-Elizabeth Dotson (77-78-79) +18
T80-Louise Ljungstedt (73-82-80) +19
83-Kristin Vincent (80-81-78) +23
