GREENWOOD, S.C. – Junior Kennedy McGaha (Honea Path, S.C.) and the nationally seventh-ranked Anderson University women's golf team both took home the top honors at the Meredith Insurance Associates Fall Kickoff at the Links at Stoney Point on September 11-12.
"I am really proud of the girls this week," said Director of Golf/Head Women's Coach Denton Moore. "It's always hard to in as the favorite and win. They dominated from the start and really poured it on at the end today. Huge shoutout to our strength and conditioning director Jenn! When the last round comes around, I can always tell how far ahead of the crowd she keeps us, and it was seen in a big way yesterday afternoon and today."
McGaha led the tournament from start to finish after posting an opening round of four-under, she followed that up with a one-under in the afternoon of the first day. Her final round on the third day, she carded a two-under 70 that allowed her to finish seven-under for the week, finishing with a five-shot advantage over her nearest competitor.
"Just so proud of Kennedy McGaha. She has been chasing that first win now for two years. She has been so close so many times. As a two-time All-American it just shows how hard it is to win in this game. She dominated from start to finish. She was so clean hole-to-hole all week and really deserves this one!"
The Trojans as a team were also able to lead for the length of the tournament as they would turn in rounds of +1, +4 and +3 to sit eight-over for the week, 21 strokes better than the second-place team in Lee. Sophomore Paige Paolucci (Blythewood, S.C.) made her way onto the All-Tournament team through her third-place finish, wrapping up the third round with a score of 73.
"I'm excited about Paige Paolucci. She has worked so hard over the last year and now it is showing off. It is only a matter of time before she joins Jess, KMac and KG in the winners circle. She was awesome this week. Her teammate just happened to be a little better."
Senior Jessica Rathbone (Montpelier, Va.) took home a seventh-place finish with an even par round on Tuesday while sophomore Kennedy Gooding (Lexington, S.C.) and freshman Yvette Gorden (Montgomery, Ala.) finished 15th and 26th respectively.
"Jess and KG were rock solid each day when we needed them. They were especially huge when we needed them to close it out today. I'm also proud of Yvette Gorden. We threw her into the fire as a freshman in her first ever event, and she was rock solid yesterday and came through when some of the veterans were struggling, she has a huge future here!"
Though competing individually in this tournament junior Zoey Iglesias (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) put together a stellar three rounds as she finished sixth overall in the tournament. Sophomore Aly Francis (Stockbridge, Ga.) also competed as an individual and took home a 58th place finish.
"Zoey and Aly were both rock solid this week. Really excited to see Zoey come back from an off-season surgery and look great! Cleveland, Tennessee is up next and we will have to be at our best against an elite field. However, we are gonna enjoy this one for the next 24 hours before we hit the weight room in the morning and get back at it for next week. So proud of this crew, Go Trojans!"
The Trojans will return to the course in one week as they make the trip to Cleveland, Tenn. to take part in the South Region Preview. The two-day event will take place at the Cleveland Country Club, the site of the NCAA Regionals later this spring.
