Oct. 15, 2017
Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational final results
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Vanderbilt women continued to climb the leaderboard Sunday at the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational, concluding the talent-laden tournament in a tie for 10th.
Sparked by solid rounds by junior Courtney Zeng, freshman Morgan Baxendale, senior Alexandra Farnsworth and sophomore Abbey Carlson, the Commodores closed with a two-over total of 290 Sunday. Their three-day score of 872 matched Michigan State for 10th place.
Greg Allen’s Commodores fought from behind for much of the 54-hole tournament after a substandard first round put the squad in a 12th place. On Saturday, the squad rebounded with a 14-stroke improvement over its opening-round tally. Then on Sunday, the Commodores were two-under par midway through the round but could not maintain their momentum over the closing holes.
Though not satisfied with the Commodores’ team result, Allen was pleased with his squad’s resilience.
“I was really proud of the effort, attitude and determination we showed today. Obviously, we are not satisfied with where we finished but I know we will continue getting better,” Allen said.
Despite not contending for the Tar Heel Invitational title, Allen’s No. 15 ranked team showed plenty of progress in North Carolina. The Commodores’ 872 team score marked a 23-stroke improvement over its total on the same course last year.
The Commodores, who finished fourth at the Mason Rudolph Championships and eighth at the Ocean Course Invitational in September, will be off for two weeks. They will return for their last fall competition Nov. 3-5 at the Battle of the Beach in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico.
Zeng led the Commodores, fashioning the team’s low individual total of two-under par 214. On Sunday, Zeng opened with two bogeys in her first four holes but battled back with two birdies and 12 pars over the last 14 holes to post an even-par 72.
Zeng’s rounds of 73, 69 and 72 earned her a tie for 23rd in the individual competition. It was her third consecutive Top 30 individual finish this fall.
Zeng shared the Commodores’ top final-round honors with freshman Morgan Baxendale, who managed an even-par 72 despite just two birdies. Baxendale finished tied for 37th individually with a two-over total of 218.
Sophomore Abbey Carlson looked to be crafting a superb round Sunday, going three-under through nine holes, before finishing with a one-over par 73. She finished tied for 47th individually.
Senior Alexandra Farnsworth finished the tournament with a one-over par 73, concluding tied for 55th in the individual race with a seven-over 223 total.
Freshman Virginia Green, the final Commodore with a chance to help the team score, managed a five-over 77. She finished in a tie for 61st with a eight-over total of 224.
Vanderbilt freshman Louise Yu, participating in the individual competition, shot an even-par 72 Sunday. She finished in a tie for 55th.
Tar Heel Invitational Final Team Standings
1. Duke 833. 2. Alabama 834. 3. South Carolina 846. 4. Arkansas 851. 5. North Carolina 856. 6. Wake Forest 862. 7. NC State 856. 8. Louisville 867. 9. Virginia 868. T-10. Vanderbilt 872. T-10. Michigan State 872. 12. Michigan 875. 13. Ohio State 876. 14. Virginia Tech 882. 15. Tulane 889. 16. Rollins College 894. 17. UNC-Wilmington 903. 18. Iowa 908.
Vanderbilt Individual Scores
T-23. Courtney Zeng 214 (73-69-72)
T-37. Morgan Baxendale 218 (74-72-72)
T-47. Abbey Carlson 220 (77-70-73)
T-55. Alexandra Farnsworth 223 (77-73-73)
T-61. Virginia Green 224 (74-73-77)
Additional Vanderbilt Participants
T-55. Louise Yu 223 (74-77-72)
