March 21, 2011

HILTON HEAD, S.C. - Following back-to-back first-place finishes this spring, the Samford University women's golf team nearly registered its third straight championship title Monday as the Bulldogs finished second at the 2011 Low Country Intercollegiate hosted by Wofford University at the Moss Creek Golf Club.

Appalachian State entered the final day of competition with just a two-stroke lead on Samford, but carded a sizzling tournament-best score of 302 on Monday to hang on for the victory. The Mountaineers concluded the 36-hole competition with a total team mark of 616 (314-302).

The Bulldogs also turned in their best round of the tournament Monday as they registered a final-round tally of 309. Samford opened the Low Country Intercollegiate with an 18-hole score of 316 on Sunday.

Following the Bulldogs' second-place total of 625, Wofford (321-319 = 640), Gardner-Webb (315-329 = 644) and SCAD-Savannah (325-321 = 646) rounded out the top five.

Individually, Samford finished the tournament with three players listed among the top 10. Junior Sarah Butts fired a team-best score of 74 Monday to close out the event with a two-day total of 154 (80-74). Butts earned a fourth-place finish in the competition, while teammate Anna Heim placed fifth just a stroke behind at 155 (74-81).

The Bulldogs' true freshman Natalie Mitchell turned in a final score of 158 (82-76) to finish tied for eighth place, while Kayla Turner earned a 14th-place finish in the individual standings with a 36-hole mark of 160 (82-78). Samford's Alex Jasper rounded out the team's scoring Monday with a two-round 170 (80-90).

Appalachian State's Yue Xu followed up her first-round score of 74 with a second-round mark of 73 to claim the individual title as the Mountaineers held the top three places to win the Low Country Intercollegiate at the par-72, 5,853 yard Moss Creek South Course.

The Mountaineers had Xu (147), Kristina Boo, who shot a 78 and 73 for a 151, and Rumbidzai Masamvu, who shot a 76 and 76 for a 152 to finish first, second and third, respectively.

Richmond and Presbyterian finished tied for sixth place with a 651, while Western Kentucky (654), Radford (661), Winthrop (670), Brown (675), Tennessee Tech (684), The Citadel (686) and USC Upstate (688) completed the 14-team field.

The Samford University women's golf team will next be in action April 4-5 at the Bulldogs travel to Pinehurst N.C., to participate in the 2011 Cougar Intercollegiate being held at the Pinehurst No. 6 Golf Course.

Complete Results - 2011 Low Country Intercollegiate