Alabama Women's Golf Wins Easily

The Alabama women’s golf team wrapped up a historical weekend with numerous school records. The Crimson Tide won its final tune up for the Southeastern Conference Championship by turning in a school record 54 hole score of 861 (-3) Sunday at the Ol’ Colony Golf Complex. Alabama shot a final round score of 279 (-9), also a school record to wrap up the Crimson Tide Classic.

“Our whole goal all along by hosting this tournament was to gain some momentum and confidence heading into the SEC Championship,” Alabama Coach Mic Potter said. “I wanted us to shoot some low scores and we were shooting really well before we came into the weekend, so it all sort of came together at the right time.”

Five Tide golfers finished in the top 10 in the tournament to lead Alabama to a 42 stroke victory over runner-up LSU at the par-72, 6033 yard Jerry Pate designed course. Ole Miss finished third with a 906 (+42).

Junior Kathleen Ekey set the tone for Alabama and put together a record setting weekend as well. Ekey shot a school record and women’s course record score of 65 (-7) to finish with a 54 hole score of 203 (-13) to win the tournament. The final round score of 65 was a career best for the Wadsworth, Ohio native.

“We wanted to use this tournament as preparation for the SEC Championship,” Ekey said. “We did a great job this weekend of staying patient and being positive and stringing together as many good shots as possible. Everybody has been working really hard and its starting to show. This team is really good, I am extremely excited for the next month of golf.”

Freshman Camilla Lennarth placed third overall with a final round score of 68 (-4). The newcomer finished with a 54 hole score of 207 (-9), a new collegiate best for the Stockholm, Sweden native.

Playing as individuals, senior Sarah Sturm and freshman Courtney Harter wrapped up play in impressive fashion. Sturm placed fifth overall with a final score of 219 (+3). Sturm fired a final round score of 75 (+3). Harter placed sixth with a 222 (+6) and turned in a final round score of 74 (+2).

Sophomore Helena Blomberg followed suit in seventh place with a final score of 223 (+7). Blomberg shot a final round of 70. Fellow sophomore Rhea Nair placed 14th overall with a 54 hole score of 228 (+12). Nair finished her tournament play with a final round score of 76 (+4).

Junior Laura Goodwin finished tied for 28th overall after turning in a score of 235 (+19). Goodwin finished with a final round score of 76 (+4).

Playing as an individual, freshman Kelley VanDenburg rounded out the Tide scorers with a final round score of 80 (+8). VanDenburg finished with a 54 hole score of 253 (+37).

Alabama will take a week off to prepare for the SEC Championship which will begin on April 18 in Loudon, Tenn. The tournament will be held at the Tennessee National Golf Course.