The Chattanooga Mocs women’s golf team tied for the third lowest final round at the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M. The ladies fired 5-over 293 matching runner-up and 36-hole leader UNLV, Cal State Fullerton and BYU.
The strong final cards gave the Mocs a 54-hole total of 904 on the Championship Course at UNM. That was good for 11th against a deep mid-major field.
“I’m really proud of how the team played today,” Coach Colette Murray shared.
“They showed a lot of grit and determination proving to me that all we questioned after that second round yesterday wasn’t the case.
“We have to get more from the five spot in the lineup. We need not rely on the same four day-in, day-out. We obviously still have a lot of work to do, but I am really happy and excited about what could potentially be in our future.”
Violeta Fernandez-Tagle once again led the way with an even-par 72. Kera Healey was close behind with 73, while matching 74s from Makenzie Cooper and Giulia Foresta completed the team score. Alexis Daniel had the drop with 82.
Fernandez-Tagle ended the event tied for 15th with 4-over par 220. Healey just missed climbing into the top 30 as she finished tied for 32nd with 225. Cooper shot 229 for her three rounds, while Foresta came in at 232. Daniel closed the book with 245.
Long Beach State came back from a 7-shot deficit to start the day and capture the team title. The Beach shot 280 to surge past the Runnin’ Rebels for a 6-shot win. Pepperdine was third, another four strokes behind. The Waves Lauren Gomez was medalist at 11-under 205.
Tournament 1: 2024 Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational
Dates: Sept. 8-9 | Format: 36/18 | Host: New Mexico
Course: Championship Course at UNM; Par 72; 6,354 yards | Location: Albuquerque, N.M.
Live Scoring: Golfstat
Scores
11) Chattanooga: 296-315-293=904
T15) Violeta Fernandez-Tagle: 72-76-72=220
T32) Kera Healey: 74-78-73=225
T50) Makenzie Cooper: 76-79-74=229
T63) Giulia Foresta: 74-84-74=232
83) Alexis Daniel: 81-82-82=245
Field
Chattanooga, BYU, Cal Poly, Cal State Fullerton, Grand Canyon, Hawaii, Kennesaw State, Long Beach State, Nevada, UNLV, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Pepperdine, UTEP, Texas State