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Golda Johansson celebrates a putt during today's action.
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Oct. 20, 2002
Mercedes-Benz Championship Page
Complete Results from Live Scoring
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.
The No. 6 University of Tennessee Lady Vol golf team captured a top-10 finish for the fifth consecutive tournament dating back to last season's Bryan National Collegiate, with a 935 (318-308-308) at the 2002 Mercedes-Benz Women's Collegiate Championships at Gettysvue Polo, Golf and Country Club. No. 4 Auburn blew by the second-day top-3 to clinch the team title with an 899 (303-304-292), which ties for the third-lowest team total in tournament history, while the Tigers' third-day total ranks as the fifth-best team round. The Swedish Junior National Team placed second with a 906 (300-303-303) to record its best finish at the Mercedes-Benz in the squad's five attempts at the title. Florida (313-290-308=911), North Carolina (314-297-301=912) and defending-champion Purdue (304-309-306=919) round out the Top-5.
"I'm very pleased with the way we came back today." Auburn's Head Coach Kim Evans said. "We fought through some tough conditions with one intention and that was to win the tournament. We were just fortunate that we were close enough to make a run."
North Carolina's Ashley Prange seized her first collegiate individual title with a three-day 218 (72-70-76), which ties 1998 champion Stacy Prammanasudh of Tulsa for eighth-place in tournament history. Defending-champion Kari Damron of Purdue made a late charge at the title with a third-day 71 to finish at 219 (74-74-71), while Sweden's Louise Stahle (74-75-71) tied Florida's Amanda Dick (73-70-77) for third place with 220 totals. UNLV's Sunny Oh (74-73-74) and Auburn's Marie Martinez (74-73-74) rounded out the individual Top-5 with three-day 221s.
"I'm very excited about my first collegiate win." Prange said. "It was a
memorable experience and I played well this week. I'm very happy with my
performance."
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As for the Lady Vols, team captain Jessica Shepley (Oakville, Ontario) led the way with a 225 (78-72-75) to tie Florida's Jeanne Cho for 11th-place. Freshman Golda Johansson (Lund, Sweden) finished in a career-best 13th-place tie with a block of four other golfers with a 229 (74-79-76), while junior Mary Jan Fernandez (Henderson, Nev.) tied for 40th with a 237 (83-77-77). Ryan Kirk (Hixson, Tenn.) finished in a 67th-place tie with a career-low 248 (84-81-83), while Tai Perry (Unionville, Pa.) carded a third-day 80.
"This tournament was a good way to evaluate my game." Shepley said. "I learned a lot about myself this weekend and look to improve before our next tournament."
The Lady Vols conclude their fall season at the Auburn Tiger Derby in Auburn, Ala., from Nov. 1-3.
| Mercedes-Benz Women's Collegiate Championships | ||
| At Gettysvue Polo, Golf and Country Club (Knoxville) | ||
| Team Scores: | ||
| 1. | Auburn | 303-304-292=899 |
| 2. | Swedish Jr. Nationals | 300-303-303=906 |
| 3. | Florida | 313-290-308=911 |
| 4. | North Carolina | 314-297-301=912 |
| 5. | Purdue | 304-309-306=919 |
| 6. | UNLV | 306-299-319=924 |
| 7. | Northwestern | 308-307-310=925 |
| 8. | Michigan State | 304-313-313=930 |
| 9. | Furman | 317-306-309=932 |
| 10. | TENNESSEE | 319-308-308=935 |
| 11. | Kentucky | 314-312-313=937 |
| 12. | Penn State | 323-317-303=943 |
| Michigan | 329-304-310=943 | |
| 15. | Alabama | 326-331-324=981 |
| Louisiana State | 327-326-328=981 | |
| Top Score: | ||
| 1. | Ashley Prange, North Carolina | 72-70-76=218 |
| UT Scores: | ||
| T11. | Jessica Shepley | 78-72-75=225 |
| T13. | Golda Johansson | 74-79-76=229 |
| T40. | Mary Jan Fernandez | 83-77-77=237 |
| T67. | Ryan Kirk | 84-81-83=248 |
| DQ | Tai Perry | DQ-80-80 |
