DAVIE, Fla. – Sophomore Jessica Rathbone overcame a three-stroke deficit over the final round on Tuesday to force a playoff, with the Montpelier, Va., native nearly capturing her first collegiate victory before Barry's Alice Gotbring edged Rathbone on the third playoff hole.
With Rathbone firing a school-record, three-round 213 and five other Trojans carding scores that rank in the top-20 in school history, the No. 7-ranked Anderson women's golf team posted a school record three-round 885 and finished as runners-up at the 2021 South Regional Preview.
The two-day, 54-hole event was hosted by Nova Southeastern at the Grande Oaks Golf Club on a par-71, 5950-yard layout.
"I honestly could not be more proud of this team today," said Anderson Associate Head Coach Denton Moore. "We did not start off well at all, but the girls never gave up. I haven't seen that kind of fight from the entire team like that since I have been here at Anderson. Victoria Hall was absolutely unbelievable today. She shot 42 on the front and most people would cash it in after that. Then she shoots -4 and honestly was the turning point in the round. Jessica Rathbone, I mean, what can you say, she is an All-American and she played like it this week. She lost in a playoff for medalist, but was spectacular all week. Emma Charles was also fantastic all week. She is a different player since qualifying for nationals. She has a different attitude and a different hunger this year. Great team leader. Freshman Zoey Iglesias was great this week in her Trojan debut. She's a very gritty player. Kerington Lamb was special today. She did not have her best this week, but she put together a huge round today, when we needed her the most. Her and Victoria both, that's what you expect from seniors."
Nationally top-ranked Lynn claimed the team title, with the Trojans overtaking 11th-ranked Barry on Tuesday to claim runner-up status by one shot over the Buccaneers. Second-ranked Limestone moved up one spot to claim fourth place, while Florida Southern slipped to fifth. Nova Southeastern remained steady in the sixth slot, with Flagler and Nova Southeastern (B) sharing seventh place.
West Georgia, West Florida and Eckerd rounded out the 11-team field after Palm Beach Atlantic dropped out.
Rathbone's clutch 2-under-par 69 in Tuesday's final round equaled the second-best score in program history and was just one stroke shy of equaling the lowest score in Black and Gold history.
The duo of Rathbone and Gotbring finished three shots in front of the Lynn University trio of Alice Gatti, Maria Hoyos and Sara Ericsson.
With her three-round, even-par 213, Rathbone surpassed her own school record 215, which she set at last year's Lady Moc Golf Classic. Junior Emma Charles fired a three-round 218 – which was good enough for the third spot in the school record books – and finished sixth. Senior Victoria Hall shared 16th place after notching a 226, which equals the 12th-lowest score in school history. Freshman Kennedy McGaha recorded a 14-over-par 227 and claimed a share of 19th place, with her two-day effort matching the 13th-lowest score on record.
Another newcomer, Zoey Iglesias, finished in a tie for 22nd after carding a 228 and matching the 16th best score in program history. Senior Kerington Lamb (235) finished in a tie for 42nd, with senior Anna Freeman claiming a share of 53rd place with a three-round 240.
"Second place in that field is solid," added Moore. "We don't like to lose, but we saw Lynn, who is the number one team in the nation for three rounds. We know what it looks like now. We know what we have to do to get there. Congrats to them as well. They're a great team, very well coached, and unbelievable short games on those kids. Again, we're just really excited about this team and this performance. This is a huge shot of momentum to the beginning of our season. Now we just have to keep delivering time and time again to stay one of the best teams in the country. These girls are more than ready. We love them all and it was a great performance. A huge thank you to former player Jake Miller for his help this week in Coach Neal's absence. He was awesome with the girls, and if he ever wants to coach golf, he will be a great one."
Following a three-week layoff, the Trojans are slated to get back in action at Catawba's Patsy Rendleman Invitational.
Teams Scores
1 Lynn 291 294 285 870 +18
2 Anderson 288 306 291 885 +33
3 Barry 295 298 293 886 +34
4 Limestone 301 303 296 900 +48
5 Fla. Southern 303 295 305 903 +51
6 Nova SE 303 305 312 920 +68
T7 Flagler College 307 305 313 925 +73
T7 Nova SE (B) 320 298 307 925 +73
9 West Georgia 316 307 306 929 +77
10 West Florida 311 309 314 934 +82
11 Eckerd 322 326 319 967 +115
2 Anderson 288 306 291 885
T1 Jessica Rathbone 70 74 69 213
6 Emma Charles 71 73 74 218
T16 Victoria Hall 74 79 73 226
T19 Kennedy McGaha 78 71 78 227
T22 Zoey Iglesias 73 80 75 228
T42 Kerington Lamb 79 81 75 235
T53 Anna Freeman 76 76 88 240
AU Team Notes
The three-round 885 bested the previous school record by 12 strokes.
The first round 288 marked the second-lowest score in school record books.
The third-round 291 matched the fourth-lowest score in school history.
The first and second round 594 marked the fourth-best score on record.
The second and third round 597 marked the fifth-best score on record.
AU Individual Notes
Jessica Rathbone set a school record with her three-round 213.
Emma Charles' 218 marks the third-lowest score In the AU record books.
Victoria Hall's 226 equals the 12th-lowest score in school history.
Freshman Kennedy McGaha's 227 matched the 13th-lowest score in AU history.
Zoey Iglesias' 228 equaled the 16th best score in program history.
Golf Stat / WGCA National Polls
Team Ranking
Anderson No. 7/9
Barry No. 11/7
Eckerd NR
Flagler No. 19/T-18
Fla. Southern No. 10/10
Limestone No. 2/4
Lynn No. 1/2
Nova SE NR/15
Palm Beach Atl. NR
West Florida No. 25/24
West Georgia NR
