Bama Lady Linksters Finish Seventh at SEC Championships
5/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Playing nearly seven shots better than their average on the final day, the University of Alabama women’s golf team carded a final round 307 on Sunday to earn a seventh-place showing at the 2002 Southeastern Conference Championship.
The Crimson Tide, who held onto their seventh-place standing with a solid final round of play, finished the event with a three-day score of 918. The finishing total was the team’s lowest of the spring and the second lowest tournament score of the year. It was also Bama’s third consecutive Top 10 showing and the sixth of the season.
“We just played really well in this final round,” said UA head coach Betty Palmer. “Considering all the struggles we’ve gone through especially this spring, I’m just really proud of this group of ladies. The refused to quit battling and things are starting to come together. I’m very optimistic about our chances of earning an NCAA Regional bid.”
Senior All-SEC golfer Sarah Johnston posted another stellar round on Sunday shooting a one-over-par 73 to finish in 14th-place with a 54-hole total of 220. It was her highest career finish at the SEC postseason event. Sophomore Anna Strandberg shot a final round 77 to finish at 226 and in a tie for 26th.
Junior Erica Boozman saved her best for last carding a 78 on Sunday while sophomore Mandy Tedder shot a 79 and freshman Darby Sligh finished with an 85 to round out the scores for the Crimson Tide travel squad.
South Carolina edged top-ranked Auburn to capture the team championship. USC ended the tournament with an 861, three strokes in front of the Tigers (864). Tennessee earned a third-place showing at 866 followed by Vanderbilt (875), Georgia (888), Florida (897), Alabama, LSU (921), Mississippi State and Ole Miss (929), Arkansas (934) and Kentucky (944).
In the individual medalist competition, South Carolina’s Kristy McPherson captured her second consecutive SEC Championship with a seven-under-par 209. McPherson fought off a streaking Nicki Cutler of Vanderbilt, who blistered the course for a five-under-par 67 on Sunday to finish just two shots shy of the Lady Gamecock linkster.
The Crimson Tide now returns home to await word from the NCAA selection committee about earning an invitation to one of the three NCAA Regional tournaments. Regional play is slated to be held on May 9-11 in Baton Rouge, La., East Lansing, Mich., or Palo Alto, Calif.
Final Results:
Alabama (7th) 305-306-307—918
Sarah Johnston (14) 75-72-73—220
Anna Strandberg (T26) 71-78-77—226
Mandy Tedder (T45) 84-74-79—237
Darby Sligh (54) 77-82-85—244
Erica Boozman (T56) 82-86-78—246
