PhiloOld Gold and Black Reporter
Philo
With junior Laura Philo leading the way, the women's golf team posted an impressive third place showing at the most prestigious event of the fall season last week at the Golfworld/Palmetto Dunes Invitational in Hilton Head Island, S.C.
The event featured the top-12 ranked teams in women's golf. Ranked seventh in the latest Rolex rankings, the Deacons were looking to show the rest of the country that they could compete with any team in the nation. They got off to a good start Friday, finishing the day a mere three strokes behind second-ranked San Jose State and two back of No. 1 UCLA. Philo's two-under 70 left her in second place individually. Senior Kim Marshall posted a 73, while senior Victoria Boysen and sophomore Alexandra Armas both shot 76.
The Deacons closed in on UCLA by a stroke after the second round, but San Jose State increased its overall lead to nine strokes. Led by Armas' 73, the Deacons still had a chance to win the team title. Other round-two scores included 74s by Philo and junior Sonia Bauer, and Marshall's 76.
Sunday, the Deacons' charge for first place never happened, as San Jose State won the title by a comfortable 13 shots over UCLA. The Deacons were 16 shots off the pace. Philo fired a 73 to lead the team and take fourth place in the individual race, three strokes behind SJSU's Vibeke Stensrud. The finish capped off an impressive fall for Philo, who cracked the top five in three of the four tournaments. Marshall's final round 77 was good enough for 13th. Armas dropped to 26th after a disappointing 82. Other Deacon finishers included Boysen at 35th and Bauer at 44th.
Though short of the team title, the Deacons were able to beat three-time defending NCAA Champions Arizona State. They also avenged an earlier loss in the season to Furman.
Philo said that the team was partially pleased with its performance at Hilton Head.
"We were looking to win, but I think we were pleased with third," she said.
Though the Deacons were not able to dominate their regional foes as decisively as last fall, they were able to win two events, breaking a school record for lowest winning score at a North Carolina event last month. The third-place showing also represents their best finish ever in the history of the Golfworld/Palmetto Dunes event. Philo said that the winter break should help the team get ready for the grueling spring season.
"I think we've had a real successful fall," she said, "Hopefully we'll be able to come back and have an awesome spring."
Philo's stellar play will be needed if the Deacons are to accomplish their goal of winning the NCAA Title next May. Philo said that she expects both San Jose State and UCLA will be the teams to beat, but she also hastened not to leave out the Deacons.
"We've got as good a chance as any to win the title."