Feb. 17, 2009

MIAMI LAKES- Fla.—Senior Rachel Larson posted a second consecutive 75 in the final round of the Qdoba Invitational, leading the University of Memphis women’s golf team to a 13th place finish Tuesday. The tournament was held at the Don Shula Golf Resort, with the University of Miami serving as the tournament’s host school.

On a day in which conditions were extremely tough and volatile, Larson braved the elements to turn in a three-round total of 230, good for a tie for 22nd. Freshman Marissa Steen also had no problem dealing with nearly 30mph wind gusts, posting her lowest round of the competition, 77, and earning a tie for 37th. Leslie Grabeman fired a final round 84, and Kathleen Glavin posted an 83. The two finished in 67th and 70th place, respectively.

“I’m very proud of my entire team for working hard this week,” said Lady Tiger head coach Beth Harrelson. “Rachel went out there today, dealt with all the wind and other elements, and played a great round. As a senior, she’s setting a great example for the rest of the team.”

The Don Shula Golf Resort posed quite a challenge to the field all week, with the average 18-hole score being 78.53. Of the nearly 250 rounds played by all the players, 212 were over par.

“The course was playing tough all week,” said Coach Harrelson. “That just shows how well Rachel played the last two days in order to shoot 75 back-to-back.”

The Lady Tigers continued their improvement as a team, shooting a team total of 319 in the final round. Their three round team total of 968 was good for 13th place.

Georgia State held on to win in the team competition, shooting a final round 301 and posting a three day total of 891. Tulane made a big push in the final round to jump over North Carolina State and Louisville. The Green Wave was the only team to shoot lower than 300 in the final round, and their three day total of 900 earned them a second place finish.

In the individual competition, Cindy LaCrosse of Louisville posted a second consecutive even par round of 72 to take the title, winning by two shots over Georgia State’s Iliska Verwey.

The Lady Tigers will return home before heading to Pinehurst on March 1st to compete in the College of Charleston Pinehurst Challenge.

Team Results:

1 Georgia State Univ.        291 299 301 891 +27

2 Tulane University           301 305 294 900 +36

3Louisville, Univ. of           299 296 306 901 +37

4 North Carolina State       294 304 306 904 +40

5 Washington State U.      302 303 304 909 +45

6 Oklahoma City Univ.      302 310 308 920 +56

7 James Madison Univ.      302 317 311 930 +66

8 Miami, U. of                  305 314 312 931 +67

9 Augusta State U.            310 306 317 933 +69

10 Illinois State Univ.       304 318 312 934 +70

11 South Florida       311 314 310 935 +71

12 N. Car.- Greensboro      318 317 313 948 +84

13 Memphis, Univ. of    327 322 319 968 +104

14 Mercer University         326 344 331 1001 +137

Memphis Individuals:

T22 Rachel Larson 230 (80-75-75)

T37 Marissa Steen 235 (78-80-77)

67. Leslie Grabeman 250 (83-83-84)

T70 Kathleen Glavin 253 (86-84-83)