Lady Toppers Finish Fifth in Field of 42 Teams at Kiawah Island

Tuesday, February 27

Kiawah Island, S.C.

Western Kentucky University

Hosted by College of Charleston

Photo by: Steve Roberts, WKU Athletics

Lady Toppers Finish Fifth in Field of 42 Teams at Kiawah Island

2/27/2018 4:20:00 PM | Women's Golf

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — Two individuals in the top 20 helped WKU Lady Topper Golf claim a fifth-place finish among 42 teams Tuesday at the Edwin Watts/Kiawah Island Spring Classic.

Senior Georgina Blackman and sophomore Mary Joiner both finished in the top 20 for the Lady Toppers, who carded a three-round total of 889 (293-291-305). They were just three strokes out of fourth place and seven shots out of third.

Host College of Charleston won the team title at 872. The top 22 teams in the tournament – the largest college event in the country – competed at the Osprey Point course in Tuesday's final round at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort.

This was WKU's third top-five finish in six outings this season.

"I'm really proud of how the team did this week, especially considering the weather we had leading up to this tournament," WKU head coach Adam Gary said. "We had tough conditions today with high winds, but we held our ground and didn't lose any positions. It was a nice start to the season and a good experience leading into a very busy stretch of golf for us."

Blackman tied for 15th out of 200-plus individuals – her fourth top-20 performance of the season – with a 219 (71-73-75) total, which tied her season low.

Joiner finished just one stroke back at 220 (76-70-74) and tied for 20th, which was also her fourth top-20 effort of the year.

Freshman Megan Clarke shot her best round of the tournament Tuesday with a final-round 74, tying for 51st at 226 (76-76-74). Sophomore Bailey Tyree finished at 229 (73-74-82), while senior Katie Story rounded out WKU's card at 230 (73-74-83).

"Georgina had another solid finish," Gary said. "Anytime you finish top 15 in the field of 42 teams, that's a good accomplishment. I'm also proud considering three of our top five have never played this tournament before, and we only got one practice round on two courses."

The Lady Toppers will compete in Florida again next week, participating in the UNF Collegiate on March 5-6 in Jacksonville, Fla.

Edwin Watts/Kiawah Island Spring Classic Final Results

T15. Georgina Blackman (71-73-75-219)
T20. Mary Joiner (76-70-74-220)
T51. Megan Clarke (76-76-74-226)
T79. Bailey Tyree (73-74-82-229)
T87. Katie Story (73-74-83-230)