Tech finishes 14 strokes back of Indianapolis at BSC Ann Rhoads Invitational

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala.  – Tennessee Tech completed a strong start to the 2012 season on Monday, maintaining Monday's second-place spot to finish runner-up at the BSC Ann Rhoads Invitational.

The Golden Eagles rode back-to-back 82s from Brandy VanEtten to finish just 14 strokes behind first-place Indianapolis in their first tournament of the spring season. Tech battled cold and windy conditions in Sunday's first round at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail's Oxmoor Valley course in Birmingham, Ala., but enjoyed warmer, spring-like conditions on Monday.

VanEtten, a sophomore from Jacksboro, Tenn., shot a 164 for the tournament and placed 10^th in a field of 84 golfers, the first top 10 finish of her collegiate career.

All five Golden Eagles finished within four strokes of each other. Sophomore Amber Shepherd was second, improving Sunday's 88 by 10 strokes to shoot 78 on Monday for a combined score of 166. She tied for 14^th overall.

Junior Katherine Bell finished in a tie for 17^th with an 89-78=167 while junior Amanda Randolph and sophomore Katy Beth Glover both tied for 21^st. Randolph turned in an 82-86=168 while Glover shot 85-83=168.

Indianapolis shot 644 as a team to win the tournament while the Golden Eagles came in at 658. Methodist placed third with a 662 while Belmont was fourth at 671 and Montevallo was fifth at 673. Rounding out the field were SIU Edwardsville (684), Indiana State (689), Lipscomb (691), Birmingham Southern (706), Jackson State (707), Anderson (718), Lenoir-Rhyne (718), Texas-Tyler (721), King (738), Huntingdon (754) and Tennessee State (792).

The Golden Eagles have nearly a month off before their next tournament March 19-20 at the 2012 Pinehurst Challenge in Pinehurst, N.C.