Carolina Finishes Tied For Fifth at Ocean Course Invitational

Tuesday, September 5

Kiawah Island, S.C. (Ocean Course)

All Day

North Carolina

Ocean Course Invitational Day 2

September 5, 2017 | Women's Golf

Final Results

By: Matt Hodgin

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. - Freshman Ava Bergner finished tied for 10th and the University of North Carolina women's golf team finished tied for fifth at the Ocean Course Invitational in its first tournament of the year.

Bergner, who shot a 1-over-par 220 to lead the Tar Heels, shined throughout. She was particularly impressive in the second round as she shot a 3-under 70, which was one of the top rounds of the tournament.

"We're really, really excited for Ava," Head Coach Jann Mann said. "She had a great tournament as a freshman to finish in the top 10. We were just very pleased for her and excited for the team to have her a part of it."

As a team, Carolina started strong Monday, shooting a 3-over-par 295 and an even-par 292 over the first two rounds, and was in second place after six holes Tuesday. However, in the afternoon Carolina played on the back nine, which features several holes right on the ocean. The wind picked up and Carolina shot a 14-over-par 306 in the final round to finish at 17-over par for the tournament.

"We were only a couple of shots out of first place, Mann said. "Of course we would have loved to have won the tournament, but the good news is that we put ourselves in a position to make a run at it, and the more that we can do that then I feel like the more comfortable we'll be the next time around."

Junior Kelly Whaley had the best final round for the Tar Heels, shooting a 2-over 75 to finish the tournament in 15th at 3-over par. Sophomore Brynn Walker shot a 5-over-par 78 on Tuesday to finish the Invitational in 18th at 5-over par. Senior Bryana Nguyen rounded out the scoring for the Tar Heels, finishing the tournament in a tie for 22nd at 8-over par after shooting a 3-over 76 Tuesday.

Junior Clementina Rodriguez shot 8-over 81 in the final round to finish the tournament tied for 67th at 23-over par. Sophomore Mariana Ocano, who competed as an individual, remained consistent throughout the weekend despite the wind, as she placed an emphasis on improving her mental game over the summer. She finished at 11-over par.

Carolina's tournament was highlighted by an even-par second round that was tied for best of the tournament, as no team was able to break even on the blustery course. Mann believes that while the team's performance didn't come together today, there were plenty of bright spots to help them prepare for tournaments down the road.

"If they can mentally continue to be tough, then I feel like the next time around they will be better prepared," Mann said.

The team title was won by N.C. State at 5-over par, and Jennifer Kupcho of Wake Forest won the individual medalist title by 7 shots with a score of 12-under par.

Next up for Carolina is a trip to Franklin, Tenn. for the Mason Rudolph Championship. The three-day tournament will kick off Sept. 15.

TAR HEEL SCORES

T10 - Ava Bergner 73-70–77—220 (+1)

15 - Kelly Whaley 74-73-75—222 (+3)

18 - Brynn Walker 71-75-78—224 (+5)

T22 - Bryana Nguyen 77-74-76—227 (+8)

T67 - Clementina Rodriguez 78-83-81—242 (+23)

Team Totals: 295-292-306—893, +17 (T5 of 17 teams)

(competing as an individual)

T43 Mariano Ocano 79-73-78—152 (+11)

TEAM LEADERBOARD

1. NC State (+5)