ANDERSON, S.C. – After winning North Georgia's 9th annual LeeAnn Noble Memorial less than a week ago, the nationally seventh-ranked Anderson women's golf team will wrap up its fall schedule by competing at the St. Leo Invitational, Monday and Tuesday, in Dade City, Fla.
The Lions will be hosting the two-day, 54-hole tournament at the 6,112 yard, par-72 Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club, which is adjacent to their campus.
The Trojans are coming off a nine-stroke win over fourth-ranked Findlay in Dahlonega, which was preceded by a runner-up performance at Lee's City with Spirit Classic three weeks ago. A school-record 281 in the third round lifted AU to a sixth-place finish at the season-opening Dallas Baptist Classic.
AU is returning to Dade City following a two-year absence after competing at the tourney for the first time in school history in 2019. The Trojans finished fourth in 2019, behind former standout Anna Freeman's eighth-place finish. Emma Charles claimed a share of 27th place in the Trojans inaugural appearance, with Kerington Lamb finishing in a tie for 32nd.
St. Leo has not competed since competing alongside the Trojans at the season-opening DBU Classic, when the Lions finished in a tie for third place, alongside Dallas Baptist.
Junior Jessica Rathbone, who finished in a tie for fourth at the LeeAnn Memorial after winning the City with Spirit Classic three weeks ago in Tennessee, paces the Trojans with a 72.44 unadjusted stroke average through nine rounds. The Montpelier, Va., native owns AU's lowest round of the season – a 4-under 68 that came during the third round in Texas.
Sophomore Kennedy McGaha has a 73.67 unadjusted stroke average through three tournaments, while firing a season-low, 3-under 69 in the Lone Star State. She moved up seven spots during last Tuesday's final round in Dahlonega to finish in a tie for second place – just two strokes out of the top spot.
Sophomore Zoey Iglesias is coming off an 11th-place showing at North Georgia and owns a 74.89 unadjusted stroke average, while freshman Aly Francis has notched a 75.67 stroke average through six rounds. The Stockbridge, Ga., native has finished 23rd and 15th, respectively in back-to-back tournaments.
Charles is just behind with a 75.83 average after sharing 20th place three weeks ago in Tennessee, while carding a season-low 71 in Texas. Freshman Kennedy Gooding has posted a season-low 71 and a pair of 73s en route to a 75.89 stroke average through nine rounds.
Lamb is coming off a 12th-place performance in Dahlonega, while freshman Paige Paolucci shared 33rd place in her collegiate debut at the City with Spirit Classic.
