Oct. 5, 2008
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The University of Kentucky women’s golf team rallied in the third and final round of the Lady Tar Heel Invitational to tie for 13th place overall with North Carolina State, on Sunday at Finley Golf Course.
“I think the team is beginning to believe in themselves while gaining confidence,” head coach Myra Blackwelder said. “They are beginning to see things come together, although we have lots of room for improvement. It is nice to see them come out ahead of some very solid teams this week.”
The Wildcats shot a tournament team-best 307 (+19) today as they outplayed instate foe No. 20 Louisville (310) and Southeastern Conference rival, No. 19 South Carolina (309). Their cumulative score of 927 (312-308-307) put them above three top-ranked schools, including No. 33 Furman (934), No. 4 Tulsa (936) and No.15 Florida State (941).
The last time Kentucky finished in the top-15 of the Tar Heel Invitational was in the 2002-03 season when they claimed 13th.
“Kristin Vincent put in a late charge and birdied three out of the last eight holes to lead the team today,” Blackwelder said. “Kristin’s ball striking was superb today.”
Vincent led the Wildcats today with a tournament-best 74 (+2), shaving off four strokes from her round two score. Leading the team overall, junior Erica Still carded a ten-over-par 226.
“Erica Still played another solid round despite two double bogeys to finish top-25 and earn an exemption into the Auburn tournament in late October.”
Senior Mallory Blackwelder shot a 77 (+5) in the final round which put her at a tie for 48th, carding an overall 232 (+16). Overall in the tournament she made five birdies and only two double bogeys.
Freshmen Alyssa Randolph and Ashlee Rose led the team in birdies with six overall. In her collegiate golf debut, Randolph never shot above an 80 which put her at a cumulative score of 238 (+22).
“The team will take the next two days off and focus on getting caught up in class,” Blackwelder said. “We will do a light practice before traveling to Knoxville on Wednesday.
The Wildcats will make their next appearance at the Mercedes Benz Invitational on Oct. 10-12.
Wildcat Scores
T24-Erica Still (74-76-76–226 +10)
T43-Kristin Vincent (79-78-74–231 +15)
T48-Mallory Blackwelder (79-76-77–232 +16)
T65-Alyssa Randolph (80-78-80–238 +22)
T79-Ashlee Rose (85-78-80–243 +27)
