Sunday, March 10
Glencoe, AL
Jacksonville State University
vs
Chris Banister Golf Classic
Three Top Tens Lead Jax State to Second in Chris Banister
3/12/2024 4:29:00 PM | Women's Golf
GLENCOE – Three Gamecocks finished in the top 10 and the Jacksonville State women's golf team claimed a runner-up finish in the Chris Banister Golf Classic at Silver Lakes on Tuesday.
Jax State entered the final day of its three-day home tournament in third and leaped Illinois State over the final 18 holes to finish second to Chattanooga. The Gamecocks finished the 54-hole event on the par-72, 5,890-yard Backbreaker and Heartbreaker Courses with a 908.
"It was a lot of fun getting to play at home this week," head coach Robbie Fields said. "We were able to bounce back from a tough start and put together a good week. Having three players in the top 10 is very promising and I am excited by their great play. We will keeping working to get better, but I am proud of this team and believe in what is to come."
Freshman Ashley Stevenson claimed her first career top-10 finish, claiming second in the 48-player field. She was joined in the top 10 by fellow freshmen Jinger Heath in seventh and Rachel Camp in ninth. UTC's Makenzie Cooper claimed medalist honors.
"Ashley was fantastic this week," Fields said. "She hit the ball so impressively, especially down the stretch in the final round. We've been waiting on this kind of play from her, so it was no surprise. I believe this can kick-start the rest of what's going to be an awesome career at Jax State."
Stevenson got better as the tournament went on and as conditions improved. The true freshman from Fontainebleau, France, opened the tournament in cold and windy conditions on Sunday with a 76 but rallied to shoot 73 on Monday and an even-par 72 in Tuesday's final round.
"I enjoy playing Silver Lakes and I felt pretty good about my game this week," Stevenson said. "Playing at home with people watching and supporting us was pretty cool. It felt good to play well in front of our fans and we are happy with the second-place finish by our team. I think that is a positive thing for our next tournament."
She led the field in pars, making 41 of them over three days and climbed three spots into the top five over the last round. She made just four bogeys over the final two days of the event to post her 54-hole score of 221 (+5).
Heath, also a true freshman, bounced back in the final two rounds, as well. The Decatur, Ala., native opened play with a 77 on Sunday and followed with a 73 on Monday and then a final-round 74. Her total score of 224 left her just one shot away from a top-five finish.
Camp, a redshirt freshman from Peachtree City, Ga., was at her best on Tuesday. She fired a 1-under 71 in the final round, making three birdies to counter just one hole over par. The under-par round catapulted Camp seven spots into seventh and gave her a 54-hole score of 226.
Junior Paula Perez Cubinas finished 30th in the field with a total score of 243 after signing for rounds of 83-77-83. The Girona Spain, native rallied several times during the week, bouncing back on the back nine in multiple rounds.
Sophomore Ebby Somers contributed during the first two rounds before being forced to miss the final round due to illness. The Valdosta, Ga., native was instrumental in a second-round surge by the Gamecocks, when she shot a 1-over 73, one of three by Jax State on Monday.
The Gamecocks will return to action on Monday, when they begin play in the Spring Break Shootout, co-hosted by Western Kentucky and Florida Gulf Coast. The 54-hole event will be played at the Lake Jovita Golf Club in Dade City, Fla.
Jax State entered the final day of its three-day home tournament in third and leaped Illinois State over the final 18 holes to finish second to Chattanooga. The Gamecocks finished the 54-hole event on the par-72, 5,890-yard Backbreaker and Heartbreaker Courses with a 908.
"It was a lot of fun getting to play at home this week," head coach Robbie Fields said. "We were able to bounce back from a tough start and put together a good week. Having three players in the top 10 is very promising and I am excited by their great play. We will keeping working to get better, but I am proud of this team and believe in what is to come."
Freshman Ashley Stevenson claimed her first career top-10 finish, claiming second in the 48-player field. She was joined in the top 10 by fellow freshmen Jinger Heath in seventh and Rachel Camp in ninth. UTC's Makenzie Cooper claimed medalist honors.
"Ashley was fantastic this week," Fields said. "She hit the ball so impressively, especially down the stretch in the final round. We've been waiting on this kind of play from her, so it was no surprise. I believe this can kick-start the rest of what's going to be an awesome career at Jax State."
Stevenson got better as the tournament went on and as conditions improved. The true freshman from Fontainebleau, France, opened the tournament in cold and windy conditions on Sunday with a 76 but rallied to shoot 73 on Monday and an even-par 72 in Tuesday's final round.
"I enjoy playing Silver Lakes and I felt pretty good about my game this week," Stevenson said. "Playing at home with people watching and supporting us was pretty cool. It felt good to play well in front of our fans and we are happy with the second-place finish by our team. I think that is a positive thing for our next tournament."
She led the field in pars, making 41 of them over three days and climbed three spots into the top five over the last round. She made just four bogeys over the final two days of the event to post her 54-hole score of 221 (+5).
Heath, also a true freshman, bounced back in the final two rounds, as well. The Decatur, Ala., native opened play with a 77 on Sunday and followed with a 73 on Monday and then a final-round 74. Her total score of 224 left her just one shot away from a top-five finish.
Camp, a redshirt freshman from Peachtree City, Ga., was at her best on Tuesday. She fired a 1-under 71 in the final round, making three birdies to counter just one hole over par. The under-par round catapulted Camp seven spots into seventh and gave her a 54-hole score of 226.
Junior Paula Perez Cubinas finished 30th in the field with a total score of 243 after signing for rounds of 83-77-83. The Girona Spain, native rallied several times during the week, bouncing back on the back nine in multiple rounds.
Sophomore Ebby Somers contributed during the first two rounds before being forced to miss the final round due to illness. The Valdosta, Ga., native was instrumental in a second-round surge by the Gamecocks, when she shot a 1-over 73, one of three by Jax State on Monday.
The Gamecocks will return to action on Monday, when they begin play in the Spring Break Shootout, co-hosted by Western Kentucky and Florida Gulf Coast. The 54-hole event will be played at the Lake Jovita Golf Club in Dade City, Fla.
Players Mentioned
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