ERAU Women’s Golf Finishes Fourth at NAIA Nationals
RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Embry-Riddle women’s golf team recorded its lowest score in four days to earn a fourth place finish at the NAIA National Championships on Friday. The Eagle golfers combined for a 309 on the final day of play and closed out the tournament with a 1258 behind British Columbia who claimed its third national title with a four-day total of 1224.
“I’m very proud of our team,” ERAU Head Coach Maria Lopez said. “ We were hoping for more, but the ladies gave it their all and we have no regrets. Our seniors have given and been everything we have ever asked for and they battled for every shot. Grace (Jeong) showed steady determination, Carrie (Rowe) attacked all day and Albane fought for her team and laid her heart out there as she always does. Pia (Zenko) was really strong, showing unreal power and competitiveness and Bea (Serra) showed great composure and I think she has an amazing future as a leader for us.”
Jeong closed out the tournament as the Eagles’ top finisher, tying for ninth place overall, which afforded her All-Tournament team honors. The senior was two-over at the turn after recording bogeys on No. 4 and No. 6. The back nine saw Jeong birdie the 13th and 18th holes for a fourth-round score of 73 and closed out the tournament at 310 overall.
Serra bounced back from a double bogey on the opening hole to birdie the ninth for a two-over 38 on the front nine. She birdied again on No. 14 to post a score of 80 on the day and finished tied for 17th with tournament score of 315.
Rowe tied her lowest score of the tournament with a 77 on Friday. Like Jeong and Serra, Rowe shot a 38 over the first nine holes, including a birdie on No. 9. She carded six pars over her last seven holes to finish just one stroke behind Serra with a 316 in a tie for 20th place.
Jenko’s round was highlighted by three birdies and despite recording three double bogeys, she still managed a respectable seven-over 79 on the day. Jenko finished in a tie for 34th overall at 319.
Flamant had her second best outing of the tournament with an 82 in the final round. Her 331 for the tournament put her in a tie for 60th overall.
British Columbia ended Oklahoma City’s five-year winning streak as the Stars totaled 1231 to take second place. Third place went to California Baptist (1253) whose Nathalie Silva garnered individual medalist honors with a 301 over the four-day tournament.