Montgomery, Ala. - Conference Freshman of the Year Caroline Griffin (75-69 = 144) finished as medalist as the Lady Roadrunners (297-302 = 599) defeated second place Mobile (316-304 = 620) by 21-strokes in the Southern States Athletic Conference Championship at Montgomery Country Club.
The win marked the fifth championship for a Dalton State team this, our first year of post season eligibility.
The Dalton State men had been the most recent to win. They took the SSAC Men's Championship on Wednesday. The Dalton State basketball Roadrunners captured both the conference regular season championship and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Championship. Last fall, Dalton State's women's cross country team started it all with a win in the SSAC Championship in Clinton, Ms.
Also for DS this weekend, Julia McQuilken (74-71 = 145) finished tied for second individually. Erika Wardzinski (73-83 = 156) and Rachel Rebne (75-81 = 156) were tied for ninth. Taylor Marie Griner (82-81 = 163) finished Sunday in a tie for the team’s third best score for the round. Her score counted in the Sunday team total.
“I am really proud of the girls for the way they played this weekend. We played our best golf of the year when it mattered the most,” said Coach Jim McGrew. It was a complete team effort as everyone’s score counted this weekend.”
William Carey (309-312 = 621) finished one stroke in back of Mobile. Fourth place Faulkner (325-322 = 647) was followed by Coastal Georgia (326-323 = 649), Loyola of New Orleans (323-330 = 653), Bethel (Tn.) (341-334 = 675), Brenau University (341-348 = 689) and Martin Methodist (379-371 = 750), Blue Mountain (Ms.) had players participating but did not have enough for a team score.
Individually, the University of Mobile’s Heather Nail (74-71 = 145) was the other part of that tie for second.
The Lady Roadrunners are playing in not just their first year of eligibility, but the first year for Dalton State women’s golf.
Coach McGrew credits a “brutal schedule” for preparing the Lady Roadrunners for the tournament. “They responded in championship form,” he added. “It’s a great team effort and it is unbelievable what they have accomplished in such a short time.”
They will now go on to represent the SSAC as conference champions in the NAIA National Women’s Championship on May 17-20 at the Savannah Quarters Country Club in Pooler, Ga.
The four-round NAIA Women’s Tournament will consist of a minimum of 144 golfers with a cut after 54 holes.
The Dalton State men’s golf team will also go as conference champs in the NAIA Men’s Championship. The Roadrunners will be at the LPGA International Course in Daytona Beach on May 19-22.
Up to 30 teams plus individuals will compete in Daytona Beach. The four-round men’s tournament will start with a minimum of 156 golfers from around the country. The tournament field will be cut after 54 holes.