Montgomery, Ala. – William Carey University (300-315 = 615) outlasted defending Southern States Athletic Conference champions Dalton State (306-317 = 623) to win this year’s tournament at the Par 72, 5812 yards Montgomery Country Club.
The Roadrunners were seven strokes better than Coastal Georgia even though the Mariners had the event’s best two individual performances.
Sarah Gilliard (73-73 = 146) was individual medalist and teammate Diane Lin (73-76 = 149) was second.
There was a tie for third between Dalton State’s Caroline Griffin (71-79 = 150) and William Carey’s Emily Pellerin (73-77 = 150).
The Roadrunners’ Katie Dalton (77-78 = 155) finished in a three-way tie for eighth. Julia McQuilken (77-80 = 157) is in a three-way tie for 11th. Carly Shane (88-80 = 168) and Rachel Rebne ( 81-94 = 175) round out the DS scorers. There were 45 golfers in the tournament.
Griffin was named to the All-Tournament team along with Gilliard and Lin of Coastal Georgia and Pellerin and Kennedy Windlan of William Carey.
“We did not get it done today,” said DS Coach Jim McGrew. “William Carey left the door open and we did not take advantage of it. This is competition. Sometimes you don’t play the way you want to. We tip our hats to William Carey and congratulate and wish them the best at nationals. This will sting quite a bit and it should. We don’t ever want to happy finishing second. That is not our goal. We want to win.”
TEAM RESULTS:
1. William Carey 300-315 = 615
2. Dalton State 306-317 = 623
3. Coastal Georgia 312-318 = 630
4. Faulkner Uni. 322-322 = 644
5. Uni. of Mobile 317-330 = 647
6. Brenau University 326-328 = 653
7. Loyola University 328-335 = 663
T8. Bethel College 359-459 = 718
T8 Martin Methodist 362-356 = 718
With the win, William Carey is guaranteed a spot in the NAIA National Championship tournament in May at Savannah Quarters near Pooler, Ga. Dalton State will have to wait for a possible at-large birth to be announced in May.
“We feel like we will get a bid to nationals so now we wait and see,” said McGrew. “We hope to have a chance to redeem ourselves. We are one of the best teams in the country and hopefully we will have a chance to prove it.”