University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invitational
Carolina Takes 9th at Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invitational
October 16, 2016 | Women's Golf
CHAPEL HILL – The University of North Carolina women's golf team held steady during the final day of the Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invitational shooting an 8-over-par 296 to finish in ninth place. The White Team shot a 21-over-par 309 to finish at a 61-over-par 925 in 18th place.
“I think they did not play as well as they obviously wanted to play,” head coach Jan Mann said of the Blue Team. “Their expectations were very high coming off the Cougar Classic win. The expectations are also high when you are playing in your own tournament. However, often times playing a home event, there are a lot of distractions. It's hard to be quite as focused and I think that happened with us. We tried to be very focused and not be distracted by things, but it is difficult. They just weren't quite as sharp as they should have been. Our putting was not as good as it was at the Cougar, so that was an area that we really want to work on. We're proud of these girls that they didn't give in. Some of them aren't feeling great and they are right in the midst of midterms. It's challenging. They worked hard and cheered each other on. That's all I can ask for.”
Carolina's Blue Team was led in the final round by senior Leslie Cloots, who shot a 1-over-par 73, bringing her final tournament placing tied for 33rd at 6-over par. Junior Lexi Harkins played the most consistent tournament for the Tar Heels, shooting 73-73-74–220 over the three days to finish tied for 22nd 4-over par and tied for the lowest Tar Heel. She tied freshman Brynn Walker who shot a 77 in the final round. Sophomore Kelly Whaley shot 75 to finish tied for 37th at 7-over par and junior Bryana Nguyen shot 74 to finish tied for 54th at 10-over par.
The White Team was led today and for the tournament by sophomore Killian Casson, who shot 75 to finish tied for 73rd. Freshman Mariana Ocano was not able to capitalize on a strong first two days as she shot 80 on Sunday, finishing 76th. Senior Rachel Jones shot 76and freshman Roshnee Sharna shot 78 as both finished in 83rd. Finally, junior Cheni Xu shot 80 to finish in 91st.
The tournament was won by Wake Forest, who played the tournament in 10-under-par, accumulating 854 shots over the weekend. They won by five strokes over Alabama and by six strokes over Arkansas, the only other teams to finish the tournament under-par.
Jennifer Kupcho of Wake Forest ran away with the individual title, smashing the previous tournament record in the process. The previous record of 11-under-par was six years old, Kupcho finished the tournament at 15-under-par. Lauren Stephenson of Alabama was second, six shots back of Kupcho, and Alana Uriell of Arkansas was third, nine shots back of Kupcho.
“I'd like to thank Mike O'Donnell and his family and Ruth's Chris Steak House for sponsoring this event. It is by far one of the best events in the country for women's golf. I'd also like to thank our golf shop staff, Mike Wilkinson and his staff. I'd like to thank Mark Steffer and his staff and Ross Fowler. Certainly, I'd like to thank the tournament staff and Robert Stewart. We couldn't do this without the volunteers and, of course, the volunteers are the best. The rules officials always do a great job. It was a very successful event.”
The Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invitational was played at UNC Finley Golf Course, with a par 72, 6,379-yard setup. The Tar Heels are next in action in two weeks, as they travel to Wilmington, N.C. for the Landfall Tradition tournament.
Players Mentioned
