HPU Women’s Golf: Fuss ties 54-hole program record in Greenville

• Senior Danielle Fuss posted a three-day total of 213 (74-70-68, -3) to finish second out of 96 golfers
• Fuss’ score of 213 is tied for the best 54-hole total in program history
• Freshman Tonrak Tasaso placed 31st for the Panthers with a total of 231

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Senior Danielle Fuss shot a final round 69 to cap a historic 54-hole performance and lead the High Point University women’s golf team Tuesday at the Lady Pirate Intercollegiate.

Fuss finished second amongst the field of 96 golfers with a three round total of 213 (74-70-68, -3). Her cumulative score put her just a stroke behind eventual tournament champion Anna Magnusson (212, -4) of Morehead State.

Fuss’ performance helped the Purple & White finish 11th in a solid 18-team field in Greenville, N.C. The Panthers fired a 54-hole total of 929 (+65), highlighted by a strong second round mark of 302. HPU opened with a 318 and wrapped up play with a Tuesday score of 309.

Host East Carolina won the tournament with a score of 880 (+16), followed by Elon (+44) and Morehead State/Gardner-Webb (+46).

“We are disappointed with how we finished today but I was very impressed with how the girls handled multiple types of adversity,” head coach Alexis Bennett said. “They maintained their composure and remained positive until the end. We certainly can clean up our finishing four to six holes each round, and with that, we know we can be competitive.”

Fuss’ 54-hole total of 213 tied her with former Panther standout Tan Cheeranont for the best three-round mark in program annals. Her final round 69 featured five birdies and 12 pars, with just one double bogey blemishing her card. Putting together a truly complete tournament performance, Fuss led the field in par-3 scoring (-3), ranked second in par-4 scoring (+1) and was t-2nd in total birdies (14).

The 69 marked her fourth round under par in six outings this season and capped her second top-5 finish in as many tournaments in 2016-17.

“I’m extremely proud of Danielle and how calm she remained for 54 holes,” Bennett said. “I know she’s disappointed coming up one stroke short of the win, but she has proven herself capable of going very low.”

Freshman Tonrak Tasaso made a pair of birdies en route to a third round 77 (+5) and a three day total of 231 (+15). The solid final day helped her tie for 31st place, marking the second time this season she has served as HPU’s No. 2 scorer. Her 35 pars for the tournament placed her t-10th amongst the field in that category.

Junior Cayla Smith fired a 79 Tuesday to finish t-74th with a three-day total of 242 (+26). Smith made 11 pars in her final round. Right behind her in the standings was freshman Samantha Vodry, who accumulated a three day score of 243 (83-76-84, +27).

Freshman Anna-Marie Kuenzle wrapped up the HPU scoring with a final round 85 on Tuesday.

The Panthers are back in action Oct. 10-11 when the team makes the short trip to famed Pinehurst for the annual Pinehurst Challenge on the No. 1 course.