Campbell Wins Sixth Atlantic Sun Conference Championship; Earns NCAA Regional Berth

BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell University won its sixth Atlantic Sun Conference Women's Golf Championship in the last nine years on Wednesday at Keith Hills No. 1.

The Lady Camels – winners of the 2002, 2001, 1998, 1997 and 1996 A-Sun titles, in addition to Big South championships in 1994 and 1993 – finished with an A-Sun tournament 54-hole record total of 890, 26 strokes ahead of runner-up Georgia State. Troy State was third (952) and Florida Atlantic fourth (954) in the 11-school field.

Coach John Crooks' Lady Camels earned the A-Sun's automatic berth in the NCAA Regionals, May 6-8. Three regional tournaments will be held at Howey-In-The-Hills, Fla., Normal, Ill., and Stanford, Calif.

After shooting a season-low round (294) for the second-straight day, Campbell's 890 total surpassed the previous A-Sun 54-hole record of 896 strokes set by 1999 champion UCF at Southerness Golf Club in Stockbridge, Ga.

Campbell led the tournament wire-to-wire, following Monday's opening round 301 with a second-day 295 on Tuesday. The event also marked the first time that Campbell hosted its conference tournament championship at Keith Hills Country Club since 1990, the program's first varsity season.

Individually, Georgia State sophomore Lisbeth Meincke chipped in from the sand trap for eagle on number-18 to win medalist honors for the second-straight year. The native of Rungsted, Denmark became the first A-Sun repeat champion since Mara Larrauri of Campbell won back-to-back titles in 1997 and 1998.

Meincke shot a two-under 70 in Wednesday's final round to finish at even-par 216. Her total was two strokes off the A-Sun record of 214 posted by 1999 champion Kylie Pratt of Campbell.

Campbell senior Josefina Usandizaga shot a 72 in the final round and ended the tournament at one-over 217, one stroke behind Meincke. CU sophomore Sofia Gorelik joined Meincke as the only other player to shoot below par on Wednesday with a 70 and was third at five-over 221.

Natalia Navarro of Florida Atlantic and Erica Wein of Georgia State tied for fourth at plus-seven (223). The top five individuals were recognized on the all-tournament team.

Campbell's Alejandra Shaw, who finished sixth, and Brandi Underwood (ninth) joined teammates Usandizaga and Gorelik in the top-10. Junior Michelle Holmes tied for 16th.

The Lady Camels will make their eighth NCAA Regional appearance as a team in the last 11 years. [Final Team-by-Team Results]

Atlantic Sun Conference

Women's Golf Championship

Keith Hills CC No. 1 / Buies Creek, N.C.

Apr. 19-21, 2004 / Par 72 / 6103 Yards

Final Team Results: 1. Campbell 301-295-294—890, 2. Georgia State 316-294-306—916, 3. Troy State 324-309-319—952, 4. Florida Atlantic 323-307-325—955, 5. Jacksonville 322-320-316—958, 6. UCF 328-317-314—959, 7. Mercer 328-315-319—962, T8. Belmont 325-320-320—965, T8. Stetson 328-322-315—965, 10. Gardner-Webb 326-332-337—995, 11. Lipscomb 364-350-334—1048.

Final Individual Leaders: (Top 5 All-Tournament) 1. Lisbeth Meincke (Georgia State) 75-71-70—216, 2. Josefina Usandizaga (Campbell) 75-70-72—217, 3. Sofia Gorelik (Campbell) 74-77-70—221, T4. Natalia Navarro (Florida Atlantic) 78-71-74—223, T4. Erica Wein (Georgia State) 78-68-77—223.

Other Campbell Individuals: 6. Alejandra Shaw 76-75-76—227, 9. Brandi Underwood 82-73-76—231, T16. Michelle Holmes 76-79-81—236.