The University of Southern Mississippi women’s golf team claimed its second team victory of the season at the 2025 ULM Invitational, held March 31–April 1 at Bayou DeSiard Country Club.
The Golden Eagles led from start to finish in the two-day, 54-hole tournament, finishing four strokes ahead of host team ULM. Southern Miss shot a combined score of 281-284-294 (-5) to top the 10-team field.
The team’s 36-hole total of 565 set a new program record for the lowest score through two rounds. Southern Miss also broke its 54-hole program record with a final total of 859, surpassing the previous record of 872 set at the Lady Red Wolves Classic in 2022.
“We were ready to face new challenges,” said Southern Miss assistant coach Sera Tadokoro. “It all comes back to our processes and each shot matters.”
Despite tougher pin placements and changing conditions on the final day, Southern Miss held on with a six-over-par team round. The Golden Eagles led the tournament in par-five scoring (-9), eagles (2) and birdies (41). They placed third in par-three (+5) and par-four scoring (+15).
“Our goal is to play the best golf that we can,” said head coach Colton Cowan. “We stay present and focused on what we do well to give ourselves the best opportunity.”
Sophomore Taylor Trible earned runner-up honors, finishing at six-under-par (211) to tie the program’s individual 54-hole scoring record. The mark matched Nichada Satasuk’s performance at the 2017 Kiawah Island Intercollegiate.
“After walking 36 holes, it is a quick turnaround to the next day,” Trible said. “I took on the last round like I did on others, by taking it one shot at a time and staying present, not letting my nerves and adrenaline take over.”
Senior Momoka Ando posted the team’s low score on the final day with a one-under-par 71, securing a top-five finish. Trible added a final-round 74, which included three birdies.
Freshman Louise Cuyvers and sophomore Alma Betoret each shot a 76 in the final round. Cuyvers finished 20th individually, while Betoret placed 40th.
The victory follows a challenging performance in Gulf Shores, Ala., earlier in the spring.
“We had to change the narrative and fast,” Cowan said. “Our ladies did a great job of getting back to work and getting ready for the next event… changing our psyche a little bit from let’s try not to shoot high, but let’s go as low as we can.”
“It took every single player on my team to win this event,” Trible said. “The win just reflects how much work and many hours all of us are putting in on and off the golf course. We all showed up and did what we are capable of doing, which is winning the tournament.”
The tournament marked Southern Miss’ second team win of the 2024–25 season and its most victories in a single season since 2016–17, when the Golden Eagles won three events.
“Golf is tough, and winning is difficult,” Trible said.
“To win, it takes luck and mental fortitude to not change from what got us in contention in the first place,” Cowan said. “Ultimately, to win a tournament, it takes a regimented process, a tough mind to take on the challenges, and a team that is there to do one thing.”
Southern Miss concludes its regular season and will compete at the Sun Belt Championships at The Lakewood Club in Point Clear, Ala., from April 14–17.
