Kristen Gillman and Lauren Stephenson Post Victories as USA Clinches Curtis Cup Sunday
6/10/2018 5:40:00 PM | Women's Golf
Crimson Tide duo part of an 8-0 United States sweep on Sunday that secures 17-3 win over Great Britain & Ireland
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A pair of victories by Alabama junior Lauren Stephenson and sophomore Kristen Gillman were part of an 8-0 United States sweep of Sunday's Singles matches that clinched a 17-3 win over Great Britain & Ireland on the final day of the 2018 Curtis Cup at Quaker Ridge Golf Club in Scarsdale, N.Y.
The United States entered play on Sunday with a 9-3 lead after the first two days of competition and needed only one win and halved match to retake the Cup. But the Americans left no doubt about the outcome as they swept the eight matches win in commanding fashion. The win was the largest margin of victory in the history of the series, which began in 1932.
"This was amazing," Gillman said following her match. "It was one of the best weeks of my life and I couldn't ask for better group of girls to play with."
Gillman recorded a 5-and-4 win over GB&I's Annabell Fuller while Stephenson took a 2-and-1 decision against Shannon McWilliam. The wins capped off a three-day run that saw the Alabama All-Americans have a hand in securing six-and-a-half of the 17 points scored by the United States in the match.
"It was an honor to watch Kristen and Lauren perform on amateur golf's biggest stage this week," Alabama head coach Mic Potter said following the match. "Not only did the play dominating golf, but the way that they engaged the community, fans, and especially the young children, was a pleasure to watch."
With the victory, the United States is now 29-8-3 against Great Britain & Ireland in the biennial series that dates back to 1932. Stephenson and Gillman join past Tide stars Emma Talley (2014) and Jenny Suh (2006) as members of U.S. squads that have won Curtis Cup. Former Alabama All-American Stephanie Meadow was a member of the GB&I squad that defeated at United States team that included Meadow's UA teammate Brooke Pancake in 2012. Alabama was also represented in the Curtis Cup by Martha Jones Lang in 1992. Lang would go to serve as the U.S. captain in 1996.
The Curtis Cup was the first of two national team appearances for Gillman and Stephenson this summer. They will also be members of the U.S. team that will compete in the 2018 Palmer Cup, July 6-8 in Evain-les Bains, France.
The Palmer Cup squad is a combined men's and women's collegiate team and will also include UA men's golfer Davis Riley. Alabama women's assistant coach Susan Rosenstiel is serving as a member of the Palmer Cup coaching staff. The United States Palmer Cup team will be facing a combined men's and women's world team that includes 2018 Tide women's signee Jiwon Jeon on its roster.
2018 Curtis Cup
Day 3 Results
Quaker Ridge Golf Club
Scarsdale, N.Y.
Final Team Score
USA – 17
Great Britain & Ireland – 3
Sunday Singles- USA wins, 8-0
Sophia Schubert, USA D. Olivia Mehaffey, GB&I, 2&1
Lilia Vu, USA D. Sophie Lamb, GB&I, 2-up
Jennifer Kupcho, USA D. Lily May Humphreys, GB&I, 2&1
Andrea Lea, USA D. Alice Hewson, GB&I, 2&1
Lauren Stephenson, USA D. Shannon McWilliam, GB&I, 2&1
Kristen Gillman, USA D. Annabell Fuller, GB&I, 5&4
Lucy Li, USA D. India Clyburn, GB&I, 5&4
Mariel Galdiano, USA D. Paula Grant, GB&I, 1-up
Saturday Foursomes- USA wins, 2-1
Olivia Mehaffey/Sophie Lamb, GB&I D. Jennifer Kupcho/Lilia Vu, USA 2&1
Kristen Gillman/Lauren Stephenson, USA D. Annabell Fuller/India Clyburn, GB&I, 6&5
Lucy Li/Sophia Schubert, USA D. Paula Grant/Shannon McWilliam, GB&I, 7&5
Saturday Four-Ball- USA wins, 3-0
Kristen Gillman/Jennifer Kupcho, USA D. Olivia Mehaffey/Sophie Lamb, GB&I, 3&2
Mariel Galdiano/Lilia Vu, USA D. Alice Hewson/Annabell Fuller, GB&I, 2&1
Lucy Li/Andrea Lee, USA D. Lily May Humphreys/Shannon McWilliams, GB&I, 3&2
Friday Foursomes- USA wins, 2-1
Lauren Stephenson/Kristen Gillman, USA d. Paula Grant/Lily May Humphreys, GB&I, 4&2
Jennifer Kupcho/Lilia Vu, USA d. Alice Hewson/India Clyburn, GB&I, 2-up
Oliva Mehaffey/Sophie Lamb, GB&I d. Mariel Galdiano/Andrea Lee, USA vs. 3&2
Friday Four-Ball- USA wins, 2-1
Jennifer Kupcho/Lucy Li, USA vs. Olivia Mehaffey/Sophie Lamb, GB&I, Halved
Kristen Gillman/Lilia Vu, USA D. Alice Hewson/Lily May Humphreys, GB&I, 4&3
Lauren Stephenson/Sophia Schubert, USA vs. Paula Grant/Shannon McWilliams, GB&I, Halved
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Players Mentioned
