RICHMOND, Ky. – Playing in an extremely competitive field featuring three of the top-10 teams in the country, the Anderson University women's golf team took home a third-place finish while junior Kennedy McGaha (Honea Path, S.C.) posted another All-Tournament finish at the Findlay Spring Invite at Boone's Trace National Golf Club.
"This was easily the worst conditions we have played in during my time at Anderson," said director of golf Denton Moore. "The course was in fantastic shape, however, it was 40 degrees each day with 15-25 mph winds. It was and absolute battle and one of the hardest grinds I have ever been through with the girls. They handled the conditions extremely well to be honest and struck the ball well all week."
McGaha took home a fifth-place finish, carding seven-over for the tournament with rounds of 73-73-77. Sophomore Kennedy Gooding (Lexington, S.C.) finished just two strokes off of McGaha's pace with a nine-over score for the tournament with rounds of 73-79-73 to finish eighth overall.
"Really proud of KMac for yet another All-Tournament team. She continues to lead this team and is heading for her third straight All-American season."
Senior Jessica Rathbone (Montpelier,Va.) and sophomore Aly Francis (Stockbridge, Ga.) each finished in ninth place on the week, finishing the week 10-over with Rathbone posting rounds of 76-76-74 and Francis carding rounds of 76-75-75.
"We gathered the girls up after the final round and told them how proud we were of them for handling the conditions and grinding the way they did. But we also talked about how this event easily could have been a win for us. It falls back on us as a coaching staff to prepare them and get them adjusted quicker to new greens and speeds. We will adjust and help them get the ball in the hole."
Sophomore Paige Paolucci (Blythewood, S.C.) started the week off well, but slightly fell off the pace in the second and third rounds, finishing in a tie for 29th. Junior Zoey Iglesias (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) and freshman Yvette Gorden (Montgomery, Ala.) competed as individuals for the Trojans on the week with Iglesias finishing in a tie for 20th while Gorden tied for the 44th in the event.
"This was easily our worst putting performance this year. I truly believe we handled the wind better than anyone, but we could not have putted worse. We have ten three-putts alone in the final round and another 11 in the second. When you lose by six shots and you have 21 three-putts in two rounds, it's hard not to say we kind of gave it away."
"With all that said, still another top-three finish, which haven't finished outside of the top-three all year, even with our worst golf of the year. We got a solid 10 days to get ready for an elite field down in Florida coming up and then the SAC Championships. These girls are more than ready, we just have to clean up a couple things around the greens. Very proud of this program and where we are. We just need to keep building momentum heading into May. We are going to rest a bit, then get ready for Florida. Go Trojans!"
Anderson returns to the course on Monday, April 1 as they travel to Lakeland, Fla. to take part in the Lady Moc Classic 2.0 hosted by Florida Southern at The Club at Eaglebrooke.
