GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNCG women's golf team concluded play at the prestigious Bryan National Collegiate Sunday in 15th place. The Spartans co-hosted the event with Wake Forest, at the 6,386-yard par-72 Bryan Park Champions Course. The event was the final tune-up for the Spartans heading into the Southern Conference Championships April10-12 at Savannah Quarters in Pooler, Ga.
The challenging field included 10 teams ranked in the top 50, including two top 25 teams. Joining the Spartans in the field include No. 20 Virginia, No. 21 Florida State, No. 28 East Carolina, No. 30 South Carolina, No. 31 NC State, No. 37 Miami, No. 38 Notre Dame, No. 45 North Carolina, No. 48 Michigan, No. 49 Wake Forest, No. 65 UCF, No. 79 Kentucky, No. 87 Penn State and Cal State Fullerton.
UNCG finished the weekend in 15th place at 105-over par 969 with rounds of 326-317-326. No. 20 Virginia won the event on the difficult course with a 24-over par 888 score as the Cavaliers posted rounds of 289-295-304. Sarah Schmelzel of South Carolina won the event at 3-over par 219 (73-71-75) as no golfer was under par on the week.
UNCG junior women's golfer Emily Kurey (Alpharetta, Ga./Louisville) led the Spartans with a 56th place showing. Kurey turned in the Spartans' top two rounds the last two days to finish 21-over par 237. She opened the weekend with a 13-over par 85 before rebounding with a 3-over par 75 and a 5-over par 77. She finished Sunday with two birdies in the last four holes of the round.
“It was a fun day out there on the course,” Kurey said. “It started off a little chilly but warmed up during the round. I felt I hit the ball well and know little things I need to work on. We are all excited to practice these next few days and built on the positives as we prepare for the conference tournament.”
Sophomore Lexi Kershaw (Winston-Salem, N.C./Catawba) was second on the team in a tie for 68th place overall. Kershaw finished 28-over par 244 as she improved her rounds each day. She began with a 12-over par 84 before posting rounds of 81 and 79 to close out the weekend.
“Today the conditions were tough, but I stuck with my process,” Kershaw said. “I have been hitting the ball great and I am learning something new everyday to improve. We are all excited to work on our games this week and take that with is to conference.”
Junior Maddi MacClurg (Cary, N.C./Green Hope) finished tied for 73rd overall with a 31-over par 247. MacClurg posted rounds of 83-81-83 in the consistent weekend. Redshirt freshman Savanna Mackie (Greensboro, N.C./Appalachian State) placed 77th overall with a 33-over par 249 (80-80-89) while junior Kristin Powers (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Mendon) rounded out the lineup in 80th place with a 38-over par 254 (79-88-87).
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