Monday, April 15
Magnolia, Texas
Jacksonville State University
at
Conference USA Championship
Photo by: Brandon Phillips/JSU
Young Jax State Team Finishes Impressive Season at CUSA
4/17/2024 4:38:00 PM | Women's Golf
MAGNOLIA, Texas – The Jacksonville State women's golf team wrapped up its solid 2023-24 season with a sixth-place finish in the Conference USA Championship on Wednesday.
Led by true freshman Ashley Stevenson's top-10 finish, the Gamecocks conclude what has been a record-breaking season on the links. They shot a final-round 297 on the par-72, 6,258-yard High Meadow Ranch Golf Club, capping a 54-holes 892 in the event.
This week's finish capped the best season in school history as far as scoring goes. A young roster that included four freshmen, a sophomore and a junior finished the 10-event schedule with a school-record 297.33 scoring average, almost two strokes better than the previous record of 299.03 set in 2021-22.
"I am really proud of our team this season," head coach Robbie Fields said. "We accomplished a lot together, and individually, which is really exciting. The growth of this young team was evident throughout the season, especially from the Fall to the Spring—we adapted better and made huge strides in our ability to face adversity with positive attitudes. Unfortunately this week didn't reflect all that we did this season, but the ability to bounce-back from mistakes and missteps was shown."
Stevenson, a true freshman from Fontainebleau, France, finished ninth in her first conference championship, while fellow true freshman Jinger Heath finished 12th. The duo led the Gamecocks once again after leading Jax State in most events in 2023-24.
In fact, the duo capped the best seasons by a freshman in Jax State history in their debut seasons. Heath and Stevenson both broke Berta Sanchez' freshman scoring record that was set with a 74.65 in 2020-21. Heath, a native of Decatur, Ala, is the new record holder after her 73.53 average this season, while Stevenson is now second with a 74.17 in her debut season.
"Jinger and Ashley both shined all year long," Fields added. "I am so proud of them for their performance and ability to step into college golf and make such a large impact right away. To have both of them top Jax State records in their freshman year and lead this team is very exciting and encouraging for their futures here at Jax State."
Sophomore Ebby Somers had Jax State's best day on Wednesday, carding an even-par 72, pacing the Gamecocks' final-round score of 297.
Stevenson led for the tournament, carding rounds of 73-70-74 to account for her 217. She battled after a rough start and played her final 15 holes at 2-under, including an even-par back nine.
Heath finished 12th in her conference championship debut, carding a 3-over 75 in the final round. She shot rounds of 72-73-75 to account for her 54-hole score of 220 and rallied on Wednesday to play the back nine at 1-under. She made birdies on the 13th, 16th and 18th holes to close her final round of the season.
Somers joined Stevenson and Heath in the top 20 with a 19th-place finish at 223. The final-round 72 for the Valdosta, Ga., native helped her climb four spots in the final round after scores of 78 and 73 on the first two days. She made just one bogey in her final round of the season.
Redshirt freshman Rachel Camp and junior Paula Perez Cubinas tied for 32nd on Wednesday, both carding 54-hole scores of 235. Camp, a native of Peachtree City, Ga., finished the tournament with a 76 after shooting 80 and 79 in her first two rounds. Cubinas, a native of Girona, Spain, closed with a 78 after rounds of 81 and 76 to start.
"Overall, it's a bittersweet finish to a really fun season," Fields said. "We accomplished a lot and made some major strides in the right direction. I am excited to have everyone back next season and for what I believe we will accomplish."
Led by true freshman Ashley Stevenson's top-10 finish, the Gamecocks conclude what has been a record-breaking season on the links. They shot a final-round 297 on the par-72, 6,258-yard High Meadow Ranch Golf Club, capping a 54-holes 892 in the event.
This week's finish capped the best season in school history as far as scoring goes. A young roster that included four freshmen, a sophomore and a junior finished the 10-event schedule with a school-record 297.33 scoring average, almost two strokes better than the previous record of 299.03 set in 2021-22.
"I am really proud of our team this season," head coach Robbie Fields said. "We accomplished a lot together, and individually, which is really exciting. The growth of this young team was evident throughout the season, especially from the Fall to the Spring—we adapted better and made huge strides in our ability to face adversity with positive attitudes. Unfortunately this week didn't reflect all that we did this season, but the ability to bounce-back from mistakes and missteps was shown."
Stevenson, a true freshman from Fontainebleau, France, finished ninth in her first conference championship, while fellow true freshman Jinger Heath finished 12th. The duo led the Gamecocks once again after leading Jax State in most events in 2023-24.
In fact, the duo capped the best seasons by a freshman in Jax State history in their debut seasons. Heath and Stevenson both broke Berta Sanchez' freshman scoring record that was set with a 74.65 in 2020-21. Heath, a native of Decatur, Ala, is the new record holder after her 73.53 average this season, while Stevenson is now second with a 74.17 in her debut season.
"Jinger and Ashley both shined all year long," Fields added. "I am so proud of them for their performance and ability to step into college golf and make such a large impact right away. To have both of them top Jax State records in their freshman year and lead this team is very exciting and encouraging for their futures here at Jax State."
Sophomore Ebby Somers had Jax State's best day on Wednesday, carding an even-par 72, pacing the Gamecocks' final-round score of 297.
Stevenson led for the tournament, carding rounds of 73-70-74 to account for her 217. She battled after a rough start and played her final 15 holes at 2-under, including an even-par back nine.
Heath finished 12th in her conference championship debut, carding a 3-over 75 in the final round. She shot rounds of 72-73-75 to account for her 54-hole score of 220 and rallied on Wednesday to play the back nine at 1-under. She made birdies on the 13th, 16th and 18th holes to close her final round of the season.
Somers joined Stevenson and Heath in the top 20 with a 19th-place finish at 223. The final-round 72 for the Valdosta, Ga., native helped her climb four spots in the final round after scores of 78 and 73 on the first two days. She made just one bogey in her final round of the season.
Redshirt freshman Rachel Camp and junior Paula Perez Cubinas tied for 32nd on Wednesday, both carding 54-hole scores of 235. Camp, a native of Peachtree City, Ga., finished the tournament with a 76 after shooting 80 and 79 in her first two rounds. Cubinas, a native of Girona, Spain, closed with a 78 after rounds of 81 and 76 to start.
"Overall, it's a bittersweet finish to a really fun season," Fields said. "We accomplished a lot and made some major strides in the right direction. I am excited to have everyone back next season and for what I believe we will accomplish."
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
Sunday, May 17
Saturday, May 16
Wednesday, May 13
Sunday, May 10
