In its best finish in the SEC Women’s Golf
Championship since claiming first in 2008, UF finished in fourth place with a
tournament total of 925 (307-305-313, +61) at Blessings Golf Club in
Fayetteville, Ark. The No. 15 Gators were powered by freshman Camilla
Hedberg (Sitges, Spain) who carded a 54-hole total of 228 (76-74-78, +12)
and finished in a tie for sixth individually.
“The course layout is tough to begin with,
but the high winds made this course play extremely difficult today. The greens
also dried out, contributing to the difficulties. It was a battle of who could
limit their mistakes today,” head coach Jan Dowling explained. “Our goal
this morning was to post a solid number and sit and wait. Our start didn't
allow us to get the momentum we needed. Our putting, particularly on the front,
caused the most problems for us.
“With all that said, our attitudes were
tremendous throughout the entire tournament, which is a huge tribute to our
finish. I am very proud of the team for staying tough and finishing fourth in a
great conference. Our future is bright for the postseason, because this finish
was a true team effort.”
Hedberg recorded her fourth top-10 finish
of the season and placed the best of any UF golfer at the SEC Championship
since 2009 when Jessica Yadloczky also tied for sixth.
“Camilla has to be excited for her top-10
finish in her first SEC Championship. She has continued to be a great
contributor to our team and I am very happy for her,” said Dowling.
Junior Mia Piccio (Bacolod City,
Philippines), who tied for the third-most pars over the weekend with 34,
finished tied for 17th with a tournament total of 232 (79-74-79, +16). Piccio
now has five top-15 finishes this season.
Senior Evan Jensen (Belleair, Fla.)
finished in a tie for 26th after posting a 19-over 235 and junior Isabelle
Lendl (Goshen, Conn.), who was second in par 3 scoring throughout the
tournament, finished tied for 32nd with a 22-over 238.
To round out UF’s lineup, senior Andrea
Watts (Bradenton, Fla.) finished tied for 44th with a 29-over 245.
