HPU Women’s Golf Finishes Sixth at Big South Championship

NINETY SIX, S.C. – The High Point University women’s golf team shot a season-low 304 in the final round of the Big South Conference Championship in at the Patriot Golf Club in Ninety Six, S.C. The Panthers finished sixth in the tournament, one stroke behind fifth-place Charleston Southern.

HPU’s 304 during Tuesday’s final round is the third-lowest round the Panthers have ever shot in a Big South Tournament and the lowest since the Panthers shot 299 and 301 in two separate rounds in 2005.

“I was happy to see our seniors, Jessica and Audra finish on a positive note,” said head coach Vici Pate Flesher. “It is a great sign for the future of the program that our top two finishers were freshman. The entire team battled back from a disappointing opening round and competed over the final two days. I am very proud that every person shot in the 70’s today.”

Freshman Casey Ward carded a career-best 74 in the final round to lead HPU while freshman Tan Cheeranont finished with a 76. Cheeranont finished tied for 16th in the individual standings with a 299 (76-77-76).

Ward shot 235 for the week (80-81-74) to finish 26th in her first conference tournament.

Seniors Audra McShane and Jessica Neese carded identical scores of 236 to tie for 27th. McShane birdied the final hole of the day to go 81-78-77. Neese improved seven strokes from round one to round three (84-75-77).

Sophomore Grier Bennett rounded out the scoring for the Panthers with a total score of 242 (86-77-79).

High Point improved two spots from its eighth-place finish in 2012.

Coastal Carolina’s Brittany Henderson garnered the individual medal for the second straight year. She carded a 219 (73-71-75).

Earning the automatic bid to the NCAA regionals was Coastal Caroline, who shot a cumulative 880 to win the 2013 Big South Women’s Golf Championship. Campbell followed close behind with an 888 while Longwood (9214), Gardner-Webb (917) and Charleston Southern (931) rounded out the top five.

The 2013 Big South Women’s Golf Championship marks the end of the 2012-13 season for HPU.