Sept. 21, 2014
- Commodores win first Mason Rudolph Championship title since 2002 by 11 strokes over second-place LSU.
- Junior Jennifer Hahn claims medalist honors with a total of five-under par, 211, three strokes better than second-place Clara Baena of Auburn and the Commodores’ Cindy Ha.
- Ha and senior Kendall Martindale, who finished in fourth, each finished in the top five on the individual scoreboard.
- Dating back to the spring of 2014, Vanderbilt has now won three of its last four tournaments.
The 11th-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores fired a three-round total of 864 (288-283-293) and captured their own Mason Rudolph Championship by 11 strokes over second-place LSU. The championship victory is only the second time in the 14-year history of the event that Vanderbilt has won the tournament, with the Commodores’ last win at the Vanderbilt Legends Club coming in 2002.
Junior Jennifer Hahn won her second career individual title on Sunday by three strokes. Hahn, from Las Vegas, Nev., was tied for the individual lead heading into the final round Sunday and carded a one-under par, 71, in her final round. Hahn’s other individual title was the NCAA East Regional Championship in the spring of 2014 in Tallahassee, Fla.
“I hit the ball and putted really well all week and gave myself a lot of birdie opportunities,” said Hahn. “I made six birdies yesterday and six birdies today because I felt really confident over the ball.
Freshman Cindy Ha finished in a tie for second in the individual standings with a final score of 211 (72-68-71) and senior Kendall Martindale surged up the leader board after shooting a three-under par, 69, in her final round on Sunday. Martindale’s 69 was the only round in the 60’s all day.
“What a special day for these girls as for this program,” said Vanderbilt head coach Greg Allen. “It’s been a long time since the home team has won the Mason. And it sure was a lot closer than the final score indicated. Late into the front nine we lost our lead and trailed by a couple of shots. But, thanks to four straight birdies from Jenn, we regained the lead and never looked back. She played really well and is quickly turning into a dominate player. I’m so happy for Kendall and Irina to finish their Mason career with a team win. Kendall was solid, especially on the weekend. She made some clutch birdies on the back as Jenn was putting her streak together.
“Overall, it was just a solid team effort! And it was so cool to see Cindy finish runner up in her first college event. She’s got game and is a great addition to our team.”
Commodore Scores
Vanderbilt’s team total of 293 was the lowest of the day, with the Commodores counting Martindale’s 69, Hahn’s 71, as well as a 76 from senior Irina Gabasa and a 77 from sophomore Antonia Scherer. Junior Morgan Ransom carded a 78 on Sunday.
Sunday’s tournament low was the second consecutive day Vanderbilt posted the low team round of the day.
All five members of the Vanderbilt team finished in the top 27 on the individual leader board.
For the “B” Team, Vanderbilt was led by freshman Cindy Ha, who finished her collegiate debut in a tie for third. Ha finished the tournament with a score of 214 (70-71-73).
Freshman Alexandra Farnsworth posted her best round as a collegian with a final-round 73, with sophomore Lauren Johnson carding a 79, sophomore Kate Sborov an 80, and graduate student Katie Rose Higgins.
Key Stretch for Vanderbilt
With the wind picking up and a short, but heavy rain shower pouring down on the back nine, the Commodores remained steady, carding eight birdies and finishing even par on the back.
Second-place LSU, who had cut the Vanderbilt lead to one around the turn, had a tough time keeping up with Vanderbilt. The Tigers combined to make 12 bogeys or worse.
“I kept asking Julie B, our volunteer assistant coach, about how the other girls were doing and she said that we were solid,” said Hahn. “So, that kept my momentum going knowing that my teammates were putting up good numbers.”
Notes from the Round
- Martindale, a senior playing in her final Mason Rudolph, steadied the Commodore ship on the back nine when conditions got tough, finishing three-under in her final nine holes.
- Vanderbilt does not have much time to bask in the glow of their victory. The Commodores head to Orlando this upcoming weekend to take on 11 of the nation’s top teams at the Annika Intercollegiate presented by 3M.
