By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The first event of the spring is officially in the books for the Tennessee Tech women's golf team, as the Golden Eagles wrapped up play at the Sea Best Intercollegiate Tuesday afternoon.

Competing at San Joes Country Club in Jacksonville, Fla., the purple and gold concluded its trip south 18th overall. After putting the finishing touches on the second round, which was paused Monday due to darkness, the field then concluded the day with the third and final round of action.

Tech finished with a 335-334-339=1,008 in the opening event of the spring season. It was Campbell taking home the top spot on the leaderboard, producing a 312-288-297=897, capturing the tournament title by 19 strokes. The Camels were led by individual medalist, Emily Hawkins, who posted a 215 for the week.

Pacing the Golden Eagles at the end of the day was Ainsley Simms, carding an 81-83-85=249. The sophomore finished 63rd in the field of 95 golfers, totaling 17 rounds of par in the final two rounds. 

Tying for 64th in the event and completing the tournament just one shot back of Simms was Elisabeth Toennessen. The junior from Grimstad, Norway put forth an 80-83-87=250 with two birdies in the second round. Senior Hannah Bratton was the next Golden Eagle on the scoring charts, totaling a 256 behind rounds of 84, 82, and 90. The veteran posted two birdies along the way while completing the final 36 holes of play.

Makenzie Morton improved each round of the tournament, shaving four strokes from her first-round total of 90 for an 86 in the second. She followed with an 85 in the third round, totaling 261 for the event while securing a pair of birdies. Rounding out play for the purple and gold, Heidi Lawson posted back-to-back rounds of 92 before breaking through in the third for an 82. With nine pars over the final 18 holes, the senior completed the week with a total of 929.

The Golden Eagles will return to action in just two weeks, making a visit to Mt. Pleasant, S.C. for Charleston Southern's Rivertowne Invitational. The event, held from Monday, Feb. 28 through Tuesday, Mar. 1, will take place at the Rivertowne Country Club.

File photo by Thomas Corhern