BUIES CREEK, N.C. – For the seventh-straight time, Campbell has won its Fighting Camel Fall Classic intercollegiate women's golf tournament. With three players among the top five individuals, 30th-ranked Campbell (296-297-302—895) won the 20th edition of the event by 13 strokes over runner-up High Point (300-300-308—908).
Lisbeth Brooks (74-75-72—221) and Nadine White (72-72-77—221) tied for second place and Tahnia Ravnjak (72-73-77—222) was fifth as Campbell won its first title of the 2014-15 campaign. CU has won at least one tournament crown in 23 of the 24 years John Crooks has served as head coach of the women's program.
Campbell's 54-hole total (895) was the second-lowest in the tournament's history, bettered only by last year's 887 winning score.
Campbell, which has won its home event 16 times (including 14 of the last 15) began Tuesday with a seven-stroke advantage then produced the low team round of the day. Freshman Annelie Sjoholm (78-77-79—234) and senior Brooke Bellomy (81-77-76—234) tied for 24th place along with sophomore Mary-Katelyn Holanek (84-75-75—234), who was playing as an individual. Freshman Ayelen Irizar tied for 27th (80-79-76—235) also as an individual.
Sarah Bae of High Point birdied the par-five 18th hole to secure a one-stroke victory on the individual leader board at 4-over 220 (70-72-78). Teammate Tan Cheeranont (74-73-74—221) finished in a three-way tie with Brooks and White for individual runner-up honors.
Bae led the 52-player field with 11 birdies, while Brooks finished with 10. White and Holanek had 8 each over 54 holes on the par-72, 6026 Keith Hills Orange & Black layout. Sjoholm finished with 39 pars, second-best in the event, while Ravnjak made 38 and was 1-over on the par-4s to share the tournament lead.
Brooks led the field in par-3 scoring (-4) and was even on the par-5 holes (T5th). White was even on the par-3s (T3rd), 4-over on the par-4s (T4th) and 1-over on the par-5 layouts (T11th).
For the second-straight day, a golfer made a hole-in-one. On Monday, Tatum Jackson of Rutgers aced the par-3, 145-yard third hole in the second round. During Tuesday's final 18, Charlotte Hindmoor of Old Dominion aced the 180-yard, par-three fourteenth.
"It's definitely not something that we take for granted," said associate head coach Tim Crooks of the program's 76th all-time tournament title. "Anytime that you tee off with a quality field when you're playing at home you can't take it for granted. We were fortunate enough to play a little bit better than the other teams and made a lot of good saves. We're really excited to win at home and for our players who had really good finishes today."
Brooks echoed Crooks' sentiments following her third career runner-up showing.
"It's good to win any tournament, especially at home," said the senior from Waunakee, Wis. "I just tried to stay positive today. I had a couple of bumps in the road and just kept fighting back. We still have one more tournament this fall, so we're heading into that with a win and it just gives us motivation to get another one."
A sophomore from Brisbane, Australia, White produced her best collegiate finish.
"It means a lot winning this tournament for our team, especially going into next week," said White. "We played well and had the advantage since this is our home course. It played really nicely and the greens were running well, so that worked in our favor. Winning this tournament sets us up with a lot of confidence moving forward."
Campbell concludes its fall schedule Oct. 26-28 with the Palmetto Intercollegiate at Kiawah Island, S.C.
20th Fighting Camel Fall Classic
Keith Hills CC / Buies Creek, N.C.
Oct. 20-21, 2014 / Par 72, 6026 yards
Final Team Results: 1. Campbell 296-297-302—895, 2. High Point 300-300-308—908, 3. Nova Southeastern 302-302-306—910, 4. Old Dominion 306-302-303—911, 5. Toledo 308-303-305—916, 6. Rutgers 324-303-321—948, 7. Carson-Newman 316-314-323—953, 8. Marshall 327-321-314—962, 9. Radford 329-314-325—968.
Final Individual Leaders: 1. Sarah Bae (High Point) 70-72-78—220, T2. Lisbeth Brooks (Campbell) 74-75-72—221, T2. Tan Cheeranont (High Point) 74-73-74—221, T2. Nadine White (Campbell) 72-72-77—2212, 5. Tahnia Ravnjak (Campbell) 72-73-77—222.
Other Campbell Individuals: T24. Annelie Sjoholm 78-77-79—234, T24. Brooke Bellomy 81-77-76—234, T24. *Mary-Katelyn Holanek 84-75-75—234, T27. *Ayelen Irizar 80-79-76—235.
* playing as individual, does not count in team score.
