The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Waterlefe Invitational
Lady Rebel Golfers Capture Waterlefe Tourney Title
3/16/2004 | Women's Golf
March 16, 2004
Complete Team Results
Complete Individual Results
BRADENTON, Fla. - A series of steady improvements turned into a first-place finish for the Ole Miss women's golf team Tuesday afternoon at the annual Waterlefe/USF Invitational. The Lady Rebels, who pick up their first tournament title since Oct. 14, 2001, captured the two-day, 15-team affair by firing rounds of 306, 302 and 318 for a total of 926.
"This tournament championship is a tremendous way to cap off a week in Florida," said third-year head coach Meghan Bolger, who was in her first season when Ole Miss captured its last tournament championship. "(Assistant coach) Katherine (Mowat) and I are very excited for this group of girls. They have been working very hard and good things usually come to those who work hard. It's been over two years since this program has won a tournament, so, make no doubt about it, this is a major accomplishment for the entire Ole Miss women's golf family."
East Carolina placed second (306-308-318--932) in the two-day tournament, while Central Florida finished third (312-312-309--933) and UNC-Wilmington fourth (314-308-312--934). The College of Charleston (313-308-314--935) and University of Miami (291-316-328--935) tied for fifth place, while Campbell placed seventh (310-321-306--937).
The three-way tie for eighth included South Florida (315-311-316--942), Southern Miss (314-316-312--942) and Kentucky (312-314-316--942), while Louisville was 11th (306-309-331--946), Mississippi State 12th (315-325-313--959), Florida International 13th (321-325-313--959), UAB 14th (324-319-332--975) and Georgia State 15th (321-313-343--977).
"We have been in the thick of things all year long and it feels so good to finally get over the hump," Bolger said. "We have been playing much more consistent golf over the last few months. Our No. 1 and 2 players have been incredible all season long, while our No. 3, 4 and 5 players have really stepped up in these last few tournaments.
"We persevered through many difficult conditions at this particular tournament. For one, the tournament was played at a very challenging course. Secondly, we had real bad weather Tuesday which caused several long delays. Through it all, I was proud of this group because we stayed very focused. I think us fighting through those difficult circumstances says a lot about the ability and character of this team. I truly believe that we are one of the top teams in our league when we get consistent efforts throughout the line-up."
Junior Nikki Hadd and freshman Adrienne White tied for a share of fifth place individually. Hadd recorded a 70-80-79--229, while White turned in a 74-76-79--229. Sophomore Laura Evans posted a 84-73-78--235 which tied for 21st place, while junior Jade Polonich took 44th with a 78-73-88--239 and freshman Katie Davidson tied for 61st with an 85-81-82--248.
Competing as individuals, junior Lisha Beyer fired an 82-81-86--249 (T-63rd), while sophomore Sarah Kate Cousart shot an 85-83-89--257 (75th).
The Lady Rebels return to Oxford for a week of practice before traveling to Athens, Ga., for the Liz Murphey Collegiate March 26-28. The regular season wraps up with the Southeastern Conference Championships April 16-18 in Baton Rouge, La.
"The Liz Murphey Collegiate will be a great measuring stick for this relatively young team," Bolger added. "The field includes several SEC schools, along with some of the top programs in the nation such as No. 1 Duke. We just hope to go out, play our game and let the chips fall where they may."
