April 15, 2009

Complete Results

DELAND, Fla. - Three of five Owls turned in their lowest totals of the event in the final round to lead the Kennesaw State women's golf team up the leaderboard into solo fourth place at the squad's first-ever Atlantic Sun Conference Championship on Wednesday.

"I am very proud of our finish today," said Kennesaw State Head Coach Rhyll Brinsmead on the Owls improvement. "To move from sixth to fourth is a great accomplishment. This type of finish in our first conference tournament shows the potential of this team and this program."

The Owls, who began the day in sixth place, improved upon their first two days' totals by 11 strokes in the final round to make their Wednesday move. Their 923 total put them four strokes clear of Florida Gulf Coast and Jacksonville who tied for fifth. Host Stetson took the team title at 881, edging second-place Campbell by two strokes to become the third-straight host school to win the event.

Jordan Lazenby led the Owls for a third-straight day, recording her best finish of the season after coming in tied for eighth at 225. Lazenby's final round 74 tied for the Owls event low, and was her lowest 18 total since an even-par 72 at the James Madison/Eagle Landing Invitational. The junior from Casselberry, Fla., turned in one-over par 37's on each side, finishing tied for second with seven total birdies.

Malin Becker tied Lazenby for the Owls lowest total on Wednesday, improving upon 82's in her first two rounds with a two-over par 74 on the final 18. Becker, who was even par until a double bogey on her closing hole, finished second in par three scoring (3.00) and third in birdies (6). Her 238 was good for a tie for 36th.

Patricia Arana and Ashley Aguilera turned in the Owls final two qualifying scores on the day, coming in at 75 and 78 respectively. Arana's 75 was her best of the event and resulted in a move up the leaderboard into a tie for 18th; her fourth top 20 in six events since joining the Black and Gold over the winter break. Aguilera closed with an even-par back nine, including a birdie on the par five 18th, to tie for 28th with a 235 total.

Senior Laura Lindsey, playing in her last collegiate event, carded an 81 to tie Becker for 36th at 238. Though the final round total was not her ideal finish, Lindsey led the field in par three scoring (2.92) while tying for third with six birdies.

The host Hatters made it a sweep of the titles after Danielle Jackson made it to the clubhouse with the individual lead. Jackson's final round 69 helped her total 213 to edge her teammate Lauren Cate, who finished second.

The Owls 301 final round total was their lowest in four event, as was their 923 team total. The fourth place finish was the team's second top five showing of the season, matching their fourth place result at James Madison's event in March.

"It was a great team effort today and I am really proud of how the team stepped it up to reach our goals," added Brinsmead. "It is a very motivating finish heading into the off-season, and I fully expect to vie for the conference championship next year."

The team looks strong heading into the 2009-10 season, as they lose only Lindsey to graduation and will get back junior Abby Fitzgerald, who redshirted this year due to a hip injury. The Owls have also received letters of intent from a pair of top junior players who are set to join the team next season.

Stay tuned to www.ksuowls.com for updates on the women's golf program, including postseason awards and a season review.