May 10, 2008
ATHENS, Ga. – The Vanderbilt women’s golf team finished play in the NCAA East Regional with an 11th place finish, three spots out of qualifying for the NCAA Championship, and a final score of 914 (308-305-301) for the tournament. Senior Liebelei Lawrence had the Commodores’ best finish for an individual, ending the event in a tie for 32nd with a score of 227 (78-73-76).
Vanderbilt’s total of 914 was 14 strokes behind eighth place Furman, who was the final team to qualify for the NCAA Championship in Albuquerque, N.M. The top eight teams and top three individuals from non-qualifying teams advance to the national tournament. The University of Florida captured the regional title, posting a three-round score of 883, one stroke better than Duke, who ended at 884. The other five teams to advance to Albuquerque included Georgia, Auburn, Virginia, South Carolina, and Wake Forest.
“We had a good effort today, but it would have taken a great final round to get in,” said Vanderbilt head coach Greg Allen. “I feel bad for our seniors, who won’t get to go to nationals, but we’ve got a group of young players who will rebound and be ready for next year.”
Other scores for the Commodores at the tournament were sophomore Brooke Goodwin, who tied for 36th with a 228 (77-77-74), freshman Megan Grehan, who shot a team-best one-over par 73 on Saturday in route to a 229 (77-79-73, T-43), junior Amber Lundskog, who carded a 230 (76-76-78), and junior Jacqui Concolino, who finished with a 246 (82-82-83, T-98).
South Carolina’s Benedicte Toumpsin captured medalist honors with a two-under par, 214 (68-70-76). Toumpsin finished one stroke better than Duke’s Amanda Blumenherst and Louisville’s Sara-Maude Juneau, who ended with 215. Juneau, Alexandra Phelps of New Mexico, and Carmen Perez of UNC Wilmington advanced to the NCAA Championships as individuals.
