Wednesday, April 13, 2011

DeLAND, Fla. – Stetson entered the final day of the 2011 Atlantic Sun Women’s Golf Championship trailing Campbell by three strokes, but prevailed as the back-to-back-to-back champions with a final round 291 – the lowest of the tournament – to earn a 12-shot victory. The Hatters’ Alexandria Buelow improved upon her runner-up finish last season to card a final round 1-under-par 71 and bring home the individual medalist with a three-day 216 total.

Three Hatters finished in the top-10 on leaderboard with Lauren Cate (t-fifth, 224) and Mallory Viera (t-seventh, 226) joining Buelow. The Camels finished as the runner up behind the efforts of three top-10 finishers. Sarah Bejgrowicz and Michelle Koh tied for third at 7-over 223 and Kaylin Yost finished in the four-way tie for seventh.

Kennesaw State, ETSU and FGCU all tied for third place with a team total of 917. The Eagles featured the individual runner-up in Fabienne Haremza. She closed with a 2-over-par 74 to finish the tournament at 5-over - marking FGCU’s best individual finish. FGCU’s Briana Carlson helped the Eagles to a tie for third by entering the day in 10th place, but finishing in a tie for fifth with a final day 1-over 73 and championship total 7-over 223.

The Owls’ Hayley Clinning and the Lady Bucs’ Larissa Steinfeldt led the way for their respective teams by tying for seventh place with three-day totals of 10-over 226.

Mercer matched its finish from last season’s championship with sixth place (926, +62) ahead of Jacksonville in seventh (945, +81). Belmont, Lipscomb and USC Upstate rounded out the 10-team field.

Stetson’s third-straight team title ties Florida International (1991-93) for second-most consecutive team championships only trailing Campbell’s four year run from 1997-2000. The Hatters earned an automatic bid to NCAA Regional play. Regional play begins May 5.

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The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts five of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.