CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- In what looked to be the closest preview to the NCAA South Regional in the spring, the No. 7 Anderson University women's golf team was able to finish in a tie for second place as a team as they wrapped up third round action at the Cleveland Country Club on Tuesday, September 19.
"This was a good week for the girls," said Director of Golf/Head Women's coach Denton Moore. "They got test mentally and physically on a very difficult course. We got to see Cleveland CC where we hope to be in May for the NCAA tournament, and it is a course that you absolutely want to see as many times as you can."
The Trojans finished at +27 for the tournament to finish level with Lee, the hosts of the tournament. Nova Southeastern took home the team crown with a +19 score for the week.
"Proud of the effort this week. We have to clean a few things up and continue to work on finishing better. We played a lot of really good golf, but we have to be focused coming down the home stretch. With that said, to start the season off with a win and a runner-up, I am very happy with our start!"
Anderson was paced by junior Zoey Iglesias (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) who was able to card a final round of 72 to finish in a tie for fifth place individually. Sophomores Kennedy Gooding (Lexington, S.C.) and Paige Paolucci (Blythewood, S.C.) each were able to finish eight over for the tournament and crack the top-20 of the leaderboard, finish in a tie for 17th.
"I am so proud of Zoey this week, she was laser focused and executed to perfection. That got her an all-tournament team top-5 finish in one of the best fields we will see this year. Really proud of KG and Paige as well. Both were ultra consistent each round. KG has been great since she arrived last year and Paige is really starting to come into her own. So proud of all her work and it is paying off in a huge way! She is becoming one of our most dependable sticks."
Sophomore Kennedy McGaha (Honea Path, S.C.) and senior Jessica Rathbone (Montpilier, Va.) each finished tied for 36th on the week while freshman Yvette Gorden (Montgomery, Ala.) rounded out the individual placings with a 49th place finish.
"Jess and KMac did not have their best this week, but were both huge in the second round. I think that says a lot about this team when we have two All-American's play their "C" game and the young players still bring us home to a runner-up finish. They will both be back and ready to roll next event, they are the best I know."
The Trojans will take a week off before heading to the Patsy Rendleman at the Country Club of Salisbury in the start of October. "It will be nice to have a week off to get ready for the Rendleman. Proud of the girls and their great start to the season. Go Trojans!"
