BUIES CREEK, N.C. – After earning her first collegiate individual title and leading Campbell to the Tot Hill Farm Invitational team championship,
Fanni Gronlund has been named the Coastal Athletic Association women's golfer of the week.
A junior from Kirkkonummi, Finland, Gronlund birdied three of her final five holes Tuesday to finish in a first-place tie with South Carolina's Yana Beeli at six-under (67-71-72—210). She led the Camels to their first team title of the season after runner-up finishes in their first two outings.
In a field that included four CAA teams, Campbell (279-288-293—860) finished at 4-under as a team, nine strokes better than league rival and tournament host College of Charleston (282-294-293—869) and 16 clear of third-place UNC Wilmington (293-291-292—876). Through three events, Campbell owns a 44-2 head-to-head record.
Gronlund opened the final round with birdies on the first two holes but fell to 3-over on the day after second double-bogey came on the par-three 11th hole. However, she birdied the par-four 14th and par-3 15th to get to five under. On the 54th hole of the tournament, Gronlund hit a 54-degree wedge from 70 yards to seven feet and drained the putt to draw level with Beeli at the top of the leader board.
Gronlund, who won the Finnish stroke play national championship over the summer, matched her best collegiate low score (67) in the opening round, led the field in par-4 scoring (-4) and was second with 3 birdies. Her previous career best finish was a T5 at the season-opening Golfweek Fall Challenge at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, another Mike Strantz design.
She is the second Campbell player to earn the CAA golfer of the week award this season. Freshman
Miah Rivas was also honored on Sept. 9 after winning the Golfweek Fall Challenge.
The Camels return to action Oct. 4-6 with the Mercedes Benz Intercollegiate, hosted by Tennessee at Cherokee CC in Knoxville, Tenn.
CAA WOMEN'S GOLFER OF THE WEEK
Sept. 9: Miah Rivas, Campbell
Sept. 16: Abigail Avallone, William & Mary, Lilli Downer, Elon
Sept. 23: Molly Hardwick, Charleston
Sept. 30: Fanni Gronlund, Campbell
