The Southern Miss women’s golf team had one of its best performances at the C-USA Women’s Golf Championship ever, which concluded Wednesday in Fort Myers, Florida.
The team played at the par-72, 6,081 Verandah Club, and the Lady Eagles shot a final round 303 to finish 32-over par. Their 54-hole score of 896 ties their lowest ever in the tournament and is the second lowest in school history, tying for ninth place with UAB.
There were a few bright spots for the Lady Eagles as freshman Belen Abrile shot a two-over 74 in the final round and finished tied for ninth-place at straight even par. Abrile became the first Lady Eagle to ever finish even par at the C-USA championship. Abrile was tied for second after the first day of the tournament and tied for third on thesecond day.
Abrile shot her career best while there and will only get better with time as she is only a freshman. Her 54-hole score of three-over par was the fifth lowest in school history.
Devon Spriddle shot a final round 74 and finished in 17th place at four-over par. Junior Jennifer Nguyen finished with a 74 as well,with an overall 16-over par performance, good enough for 44th place.
Sophomore Emily Ross shot well and placed 36th at three-over par. Her 54-hole score 228 was her career best. MacKenzie Kelly brought up the rear for the Lady Eagles as she shot a 43-over par, good enough for 54th place after carding a 97 Wednesday.
Middle Tennessee State won the team event with a final score of seven-under par and also had 2015 C-USA All-Tournament Team member Samantha Gotcher. FIU’s Meghan MacLaren won the top golfer award and title after posting a 10-under par, a single stroke in front of Gotcher.
The Lady Eagles finished off a solid season of golf and will return most of their team. They should continue their ascension into one of the top teams in the conference.