By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
WAYNESVILLE, N.C. - Head coach Polk Brown knew it would take a big improvement for the Golden Eagles to make up some spots in the Great Smokies Intercollegiate, and that's just what the Tennessee Tech women's golf team did Tuesday morning.
After struggling on Day One and finishing with a total score of 315 to sit in 11th place after 18 holes, the young Tech squad battled back on Day Two, cutting its first-day performance by more than 20 strokes and jumping into ninth place for the tournament. Play was conducted at the Waynesville Inn - Golf Resort & Spa and covered two beautiful nine-hole courses each round for a par 72, 5,932 yard event hosted by Western Carolina.
Leading the way for the Golden Eagles was sophomore Maddi Everts (pictured left), who rebounded nicely from a Day One 79 to card a career-low round of 67, beating her previous low by three strokes. Everts finished the tourney with a 146 overall and tied for 15th place, giving her her first top 15 finish of the year.
Also key to the Tech finish was the play of Allison Geer (pictured below), who also had a solid comeback round of her own. After shooting a 79 on the first day of play, the sophomore posted a personal-best 18-hole round of 70, topping her previous career mark by an incredible eight strokes. Geer's total of 149 was good enough to tie her for 26th overall for the tournament.
Freshman Whitney Robertson played consistently on the weekend, showing improvement as the tournament played on. The Clarksville native carded a first-day 80 before shedding three strokes for a Day Two 77 and total tournament score of 157. The newbie placed 48th in the tournament.
Rounding out the scoring for the Golden Eagles were sophomore Megan Williamson (81-79=160) and freshman Lydia Triplett (77-86=163). Williamson tied for 55th while Triplett tied for 63rd overall.
Playing host, the Catamounts of WCU, rallied for a first-place finish in the event, winning with a 283-287=570 score line.
The Golden Eagles will take some time off before returning to the links, not playing again until Oct. 7. Tech will then head off to the CSU Wendy's Invitational hosted by Charleston Southern at the Rivertowne Country Club in Mount Pleasant, S.C.
