Record-setting round helps Spartans tie for third at Great Smokies Intercollegiate
WAYNESVILLE, N.C. – UNCG's women's golf team fired a school-record 289 (+1) during the final round of play at the Great Smokies Intercollegiate, helping the Spartans to a third-place tie in their best tournament finish in two years on Tuesday at the Waynesville Inn Golf Resort & Spa.
The Spartans finished the two-round, 23-team tournament at 583 (294-289), four strokes shy of the school record for a 36-hole tournament. Eastern Kentucky (576) won the team title, while host Western Carolina finished second (580). UNCG tied with Gardner-Webb, while Division II Rollins finished fifth (586).
"We played especially well today, and for both rounds, really," said head coach Emily Marron. "I was very happy with our overall performance. We made a lot of birdies this week and that's a great thing. "
Freshman Fanny Cnops led the charge once again for the Spartans, shooting 2-under par 70 on Tuesday and tying the school mark for lowest 36-hole tournament score (140). Cnops finished tied for fourth, five strokes behind individual medalist Sofie Kvarnstrom (135) of Western Carolina.
In her first two collegiate tournaments, Cnops has tied the UNCG record for lowest 54-hole (216) and 36-hole scores.
"Fanny was impressive again," said Marron. "She almost seemed a little bored out there at times, though. I think she's really close to having a breakout performance. Shooting back-to-back 70s is great, but we all know she has more in her. We can't wait to see it."
But Cnops didn't do it by herself on Tuesday, as all five Spartans shot 77 or lower.
Three Spartans finished tied for 31st in the individual standings. Senior Ana Lucia Martinez shot a career-low 71 during the final round to finish tournament play at 149 (78-71).
Joining Martinez was fellow senior Begona Sarabia, who carded a 1-over par 73 en route to a tournament score of 149 (76-73). Freshman Berglind Bjornsdottir bounced back from a rough debut at the Cougar Classic last week in Charleston, S.C. She carded a 75 on Tuesday and joined Martinez and Sarabia in a tied for 31st at 149 (74-75).
"I'm so proud of the way Ana played the last couple of days," said Marron. "She was a big reason why we had such a good day today."
Junior Courtney Taylor finished tied for 46th after a 77 left her at 151 (74-77).
"Overall I think we're feeling pretty good about ourselves as a team," said Marron. "It's coming together. We're a little slow in getting there, but it's coming."
The Spartans return to the course when they host the UNCG Starmount Classic, Oct. 3-4 at Starmount Forest Country Club in Greensboro.
T-3 UNCG 294-28= 583
T-4 Fanny Cnops 70-70=140
T-31 Ana Lucia Martinez 78-71=149
T-31 Begona Sarabia 76-73=149
T-31 Berglind Bjornsdottir 74-75=149
T-46 Courtney Taylor 74-77=151
- UNCG -