Alabama Women's Golf Wins Saguaro Classic Title
2/25/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
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Alabama carded a tournament low round of 291 on the final day en route to a tournament best total of 589. UA rallied from four shots down heading into the last round to earn a nine-shot victory over runner-up North Carolina State.
“It was a total team effort,” said Bama head coach Betty Palmer. “We got contributions from all five players. I’m very proud of this group. They played focused and determined and it paid off. I liked the way we made shots on the course. One of the big keys to our victory was our short game performances. It is nice to see good things in practice turn in to successes on the course in real competition. It is always a special time when you win a tournament.”
Junior Darby Sligh paced the Crimson Tide in the final round firing an even-par 70 on the 6,029-yard layout of the Dell Urich Golf Course. Sligh finished with a score of 142 (72-70), just one shot behind individual medallist Ashlee Dean of North Carolina State. She was one of just two golfers to shoot a round of par or better on the final day.
UA sophomore Carina Sorensen posted a career best finish with a third-place showing at the event with a 143 (72-71). Junior Megan George trimmed five shots off her opening round score, shooting a 73 in the final round to finish in a tie for 10th place (78-73/151).
Senior Mandy Tedder finished tied for 18th (76-79/155) and freshman Amy Middleton posted a 20th-place showing (79-77/156) to round of the Crimson Tide finishes at the tournament.
Alabama captured the tournament crown with a 589 followed by host N.C. State at 598. Denver finished third at 607 followed by Miami (6-8), Arizona State (611), Kentucky (613) and Georgetown (640). The event was scheduled for three rounds but rain and lightning wiped out day two of competition thus turning the competition into a 36-hole event.
The Tide will take a few weeks off before returning to the links on Mar. 5-7 at the LSU/Cleveland Golf Classic in Baton Rouge, La.
