University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Are Winners On Duramed FUTURES Tour
March 20, 2006 | Women's Golf
March 20, 2006
Chapel Hill, N.C. - The first two tournaments on the 2006 Duramed FUTURES Tour feature winners who are former women's golf all-americas for the University of North Carolina.
Ashley Prange claimed her first professional title at the Greater Tampa Duramed FUTURES Classic this past week in Riverview, Fla. Prange fired a five-under-par 66 in Sunday's final round to tie the women's course record at Summerfield Crossings Golf Club (par 71, 6,377 yards) set by the LPGA's Beth Bauer. Prange won the title by two strokes over tour veteran and two-time winner Stephanie George by posting a 10-under 203 total after firing rounds of 69-68-66. George was the runner-up two strokes back at 205. Prange entered the final round tied with George and Sarah-Lynn Johnston, but birdied the first hole from 15 feet to grab the lead and never looked back.
Meaghan Francella, a teammate of Prange's at Carolina, captured the title at the Lakeland Duramed FUTURES Classic in one week earlier. Francella fired rounds of 69-70-70 for a seven-under 209 total at the Cleveland Heights Golf Course in Lakeland, Fla., to finish one stroke ahead of Allison Fouch who carded a 210 and Cristina Baena who posted a 211 total. Francella, the leader going into the final round, withstood challenges from both Baena and Fouch. Baena grabbed a two-stroke lead during the final round, but lost ground on the last six holes while Fouch birdied two of her last three holes. Francella, however, playing in the final pairing, recorded pars on the last three holes to hold on for the win.
Prange and Francella were both first-team All-Americas for the Tar Heels in 2004. Prange, a three-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference performer, won three collegiate titles while Francella, a two-time All-ACC selection, captured two wins at Carolina.
