Samford University
Day Three (James Madison Invitational)
Heim Finishes Eighth, Bulldogs 11th At JMU/Eagle Landing Invitational
3.11.12 | Women's Golf
March 11, 2012
ORANGE PARK, Fla. - Samford women's golfer Anna Heim turned in her best performance of the 2011-12 season over the weekend as she earned an eighth-place finish Sunday at the JMU/Eagle Landing Invitational hosted by James Madison University at the Eagle Landing Country Club.
Heim, the Bulldogs' talented junior from Lafayette, La., carded a season-best 54-hole mark of 219 (75-70-74) at the talent-laden tournament. She topped her previous low score of 2011-12 by 12 strokes and finished the three-round event tied for eighth place.
"Anna Heim did an outstanding job this weekend," said Samford head coach Ryan Mayberry. "She turned in a great tournament, especially considering the high level of competition that was here. There were a number of ranked teams and a number of ranked players, so I was really pleased with Anna's performance. Right now, we just need to improve as a team and get ready for Pinehurst next week."
Samford completed the 2012 JMU/Eagle Landing Invitational with a total team score of 916 (310-303-303). The Bulldogs overcame a lackluster opening round of play to finish the tournament in 11th place. Samford carded an identical score of 303 on each of the final two rounds at the Eagle Landing Country Club.
The three-day, 54-hole competition consisted of 18 teams. The field for the 2012 JMU/Eagle Landing Invitational was comprised of the following squads: Samford, Campbell, Chattanooga, East Carolina, East Tennessee State, Elon, Illinois, Illinois State, Jacksonville, James Madison, Maryland, Morehead State, UNCG, Old Dominion, Radford, USF, Stetson and Western Carolina.
Illinois entered the tournament as the 50th-ranked team in the nation and concluded Sunday's final round of play in fifth place (302-294-304=900).
South Florida earned the team title with a 54-hole score of 883 (287-297-299), while Maryland (295-290-301=886) and East Carolina (294-302-294) placed second and third, respectively. Campbell tallied a fourth-place finish Sunday with a total team score of 893 (294-304-295).
Samford concluded the JMU/Eagle Landing Invitational only seven strokes out of seventh place. Southern Conference rivals UNCG and Chattanooga, as well as Stetson all finished tied for seventh place with identical three-round marks of 909.
Following Heim's team-best score of 219, the Bulldogs' Emily Stallings followed with a 230 (78-76-76), while senior Sarah Butts posted a 233 (79-78-76) and junior Kayla Turner registered a 235 (78-79-78). Rounding out Samford's scoring was sophomore Natalie Mitchell with a 54-hole total of 239 (83-79-77).
The Samford University women's golf team will next be in action March 19-20, as the Bulldogs head to North Carolina for the 2012 Cougar Intercollegiate being held at Pinehurst No. 6 Golf Course in Pinehurst, N.C.
Final Results - 2012 JMU/Eagle Landing Invitational
