George Takes Title at UA-Ann Rhoads Intercollegiate
9/21/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
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TUSCALOOSA - University of Alabama senior golfer Megan George carded a three-under-par 69 on Tuesday to capture the individual medallist title at the 2004 UA-Ann Rhoads Intercollegiate played at the Ol' Colony Golf Complex.
George, a native of Plymouth, Minn., finished the two-day event with a score of one-under-par 143 to edge Murray State's Nikki Orazine (145) by two strokes. Her strong play also helped the Tide to a final round 299 and a third-place showing at their home event.
"We played much better today," said UA head coach Betty Palmer. "This is more like the way I thought this team was capable of playing. I'm proud of how all the girls bounced back today and made the necessary adjustments. I am very excited for Megan because she worked extremely hard this summer and it really showed in today's round. I want to thank the Ol' Colony staff for all their hard work and also to Ann Rhoads for her support and commitment to this tournament."
For George, the individual title marked her second career victory but just the first since transferring to Alabama from Iowa a season ago. She also becomes the third consecutive Crimson Tide golfer to claim the individual tournament crown at a UA-hosted event. George joins teammate Darby Sligh (last year) and former Tide standout Sarah Johnston (2001) as home tournament medallists.
"It is a great feeling to start my senior season out with a victory," said George. "I was able to hit some good shots and make a few putts. I worked very hard this past off-season on giving myself a complete game. I felt like I played pretty well at this tournament. I want to also say how proud I am of my teammates for the great turnaround we made on Tuesday. They really stepped up their play and that help motivate me during my round. I'm looking forward to a successful season for us this year."
In addition to George, other golfers competing for the Crimson Tide at the season-opening event included junior Carina Sorensen (80-78/158) tied for 23rd, freshman Rebecca Sykes (81-78/159) tied for 26th, sophomore Amy Middleton (81-79/160) and freshman Emily Sykes (86-74/160) tied for 35th. Junior Audrey Gale finished tied for 38th (85-76/161) playing as an individual at the event.
Tulane captured the team championship posting two rounds of 298 en route to a 596 and a nine-shot victory. Mississippi State carded the low round of the tournament (296) to finish as the runner-up at 605. Alabama's strong second round put them in third-place at 615 followed by Ole Miss (619), Murray State (624), Middle Tennessee (630), Jacksonville State (633), Birmingham-Southern and UAB (637), Memphis (641), Troy and Augusta State (644), Samford (660) and Belmont (677).
The Green Wave, who left New Orleans last Tuesday to avoid the arrival of Hurricane Ivan and took over 14 hours to make the drive to Tuscaloosa, saw four of their five golfers finish among the individual Top 10.
"I am very proud of how well this team played in spite of a long list of distractions," said Tulane head coach Sue Bower. "We left last Tuesday and haven't been back since. Our team could have let that take them off their game but they didn't. I am excited to open the season with a win."
While Monday's opening round was plagued by gusty wind, the breeze lightened some on Tuesday allowing for some lower scores. Four players were able to post sub-par final rounds with Mississippi State's Amanda Mathis posting the lowest at 68.
The Alabama women's golf team will next compete on Oct. 8-10 at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship in Knoxville, Tenn.
PHOTO GALLERY:
Alabama's Megan George accepts her first place title from Ann Rhoads.
The winners of the team title, Tulane.
The second-place Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Individual second-place finisher Nikki Orazine from Murray State.
