Elon Phoenix Women’s Golf Claim JMU/Eagle Landing Invite Crown

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A final round 299, the lowest round posted by any team on day three, propelled the Elon women’s golf team to a first-place finish at the JMU/Eagle Landing Invitational on Sunday. The Phoenix claimed its first team title since Sept. 2010 with a three-round mark of 892 (293-300-299).

Despite winds that were consistently near 20 miles per hour, with gusts up to 35 mph, the Phoenix’s final round was eight strokes better than its nearest competitor during the final round. Elon entered the final round four strokes back of the leader and in third place, but won the event by four strokes over 60th-ranked Georgia State (292-297-307–896).

Elon’s last tournament title came at the Sea Trail Intercollegiate played Sept. 24-26, 2010 in Sunset Beach, N.C.

The Phoenix’s Emily Brooks and Kathryn Buckingham led the team in the final standings. The duo tied for eighth with a final mark of 222. Brooks (69-78-75), who posted one of just three eagles in the tournament on her final hole of the third round, finished the event with 39 pars. Buckingham had four of her seven birdies over her final 18 holes.

Of the 93 players in the field, Sunna Vidisdottir placed in a tie for 13th with a final score of 223 (75-69-79). Vidisdottir also had seven birdies over her three rounds, including one during Sunday’s final round.

Kelsey Badmaev carded her best round of the weekend on Sunday, shooting an even-par 72 to tie for 20th with a 225 (76-77-72). Badmaev was tied for second in the field with eight birdies, four of which came on Sunday despite the windy conditions.

In a tie for 50th was Katie Partridge. Partridge shot a 235 (76-79-80) over the three-day event. She had three birdies over her 54 holes.

Taylor Wilkerson competed as an individual and finished in a tie for 48th with a 234 (79-74-81). She notched one birdie in each of her three rounds.

Medalist honors went to Tiffany Chan of Daytona State College. Chan finished the tournament with a 215 (73-71-71).

Behind Elon and Georgia State in the top five were Delaware (899), Southern Illinois (901) and Daytona State (903).

Four other Southern Conference schools were also in the 16-team field – 92nd-ranked Samford (6th, 906), 95th-rated Western Carolina (7th, 908), Wofford (T-8th, 913) and UNCG (14th, 937).

The Phoenix will next play at the John Kirk Panther Intercollegiate hosted by Georgia State on March 30-April 1 in Stockbridge, Ga.