Dalton State Lady Roadrunners To Play This Coming Weekend In 1st Ever SSAC Tournament

Monday, April 13, 2015
Bob Beavers

Montgomery, AL - The Dalton State women are the highest ranked Southern States Athletic Conference golf team heading into the conference women’s championship this weekend at Montgomery Country Club.

The Lady Roadrunners will compete Saturday and Sunday with18-holes each day. Eight SSAC schools have women’s golf teams and three of those are in the NAIA Coaches Top-25 released, which was Friday.

“We are really looking forward to heading to Montgomery for the conference championship,” said Coach Jim McGrew.

“We feel like that with our schedule we have prepared as well as we can. We have played difficult golf courses at long yardages against the toughest competition we could find. We know we won’t be intimidated or uncomfortable in any situation that presents itself.”

Dalton State is ranked at No. 14. Willie Carey is tied for 17^th. The University of Mobile is ranked 23^rd. Coastal Georgia received votes. Loyola of New Orleans, Brenau, Faulkner and Martin Methodist also have women’s golf teams.

“All that is left is for us to relax and enjoy the opportunity that we have in front of us,” said McGrew. “If we control our emotions and stay focused one shot at a time, I know it is going to be a great weekend. The girls have done a tremendous job all year long and I know this won’t be any difference.”

Eleven golfers from the conference are ranked in the Golfstat NAIA Top-150 as individuals.

The highest ranked is Sarah Gilliard (JR) of Coastal Georgia. Heather Nail (So) of Mobile is 30^th. Dalton State’s Erika Wardzinksi (JR) is ranked 32^nd. Sarah Hicks (SR) of William Carey is 41^st.

Caroline Griffin (FR) of Dalton State is 46^th. Julia McQuilken (JR) of DS is 74^th. Hannah Person (SO) of William Carey is 102^nd. Hope Biggs (JR) of William Carey is ranked 113^th and her teammate, Emily Pellerin (SR), is 126^th. Sarah Jane Bowers (FR) of Brenau is 132^nd. And Kyra Plotner (FR) of Mobile is 140^th.

It is likely that only one SSAC team will play May 12-15 in the 21^st Annual NAIA Women’s Golf National Championship at Savannah Quarters Country Club in Pooler, GA. The event will mark the first time that the national championship will be held in the state of Georgia.