By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
MOBILE, Ala. – The Tennessee Tech women's golf team wrapped up action at its 2023-24 season opener Monday afternoon, completing the third and final round of the USA Intercollegiate in ninth while competing at Crossings Course at the RTJ Trail at Magnolia Grove.
The Golden Eagles finished things off with a 311 on the third day of play, totaling 922 for the event. ULM held on to capture the tournament crown, posting a 297 and 863 total to defeat a surging Jacksonville State squad by five shots. Middle Tennessee's Kendall Maynard took home the individual medalist honors behind a 69-69-71=209.
Leading the purple and gold in her first career tournament was freshman Chloe Griffith, who picked up a top-25 finish behind a 223 total for the weekend. The freshman ended her inaugural event with a pair of birdies on her way to a 76.
Next on the leaderboard for the Golden Eagles was senior Ainsley Simms, who tied for 35th among the 55 competitors after contributing a 78 with two birdies. The Tech veteran totaled 226 overall for the event, ranking second among the purple and gold.
Fellow veteran Gittle Sciolis tied for the team lead in Monday's round, matching Griffith's 76 with a pair of birdies of her own. The fifth-year senior concluded action for the week with a three-day total of 229.
Junior Reagan Stuke carded an 81 with one birdie on her way to a final 54-hole score of 244. Cookeville native and freshman Lexus Julian finished off her first career event with a 253 overall and 88 on the day.
The Golden Eagles will return to the links in two weeks, competing in the UAB Hoover Invitational Monday, Sept. 18 through Tuesday, Sept. 19 at Hoover Country Club in Birmingham, Ala.
Top 5 Teams: | ||||||
1. | ULM | 277-289-297=863 | -1 | |||
2. | Jacksonville State | 290-292-286=868 | +4 | |||
3. | Southern Miss | 295-290-287=872 | +8 | |||
4. | Middle Tennessee | 290-290-300=880 | +16 | |||
5. | Memphis | 296-298-291=885 | +21 | |||
9. | Tennessee Tech | 312-299-311=922 | +58 |
Leaderboard (55 Golfers) | ||||||
1. | Kendall Maynard (Middle Tennessee) | 69-69-71=209 | -7 | |||
T-23. | Chloe Griffith | 77-70-76=223 | +7 | |||
T-35. | Ainsley Simms | 75-73-78=226 | +10 | |||
T-41. | Gittle Sciolis | 79-74-76=229 | +13 | |||
52. | Reagan Stuke | 81-82-81=244 | +28 | |||
54. | Lexus Julian | 83-82-88=253 | +37 | |||
File photo by Emily Armstrong