Freshman Iliska Verwey claimed the individual championship as the 31st-ranked Georgia State women's golf team took team championship honors for the second consecutive year at the America's Choice Mortgage Lady Jaguar Invitational in Augusta, Ga. on Sunday.
Georgia State posted a final-round score of 296 to come from behind to defeat host Augusta State by one stoke and Verwey moved from third into first on the final day with a two-under par 70, to finish at even par and three strokes ahead of her nearest competition.
The Panthers finished with a two-round score of 600 (+24), the team's second lowest two-round total in school history, to hold off 39th-ranked Augusta State on their home course, Forest Hills Golf Club, a par-72, 6,123-yard layout. Augusta State held a two shot lead entering the final round.
“It was exciting coming down the stretch,” said Georgia State women's golf coach Cathy Mant. “We knew it was close, but we didn't know where exactly we stood. The girls just kept playing well and we edged them out by one stroke. Augusta State is a real good team and they beat us this year in the Cardinal Cup to open the season, so it was good to be on top in their territory again.”
Verwey bogeyed three of her first five holes to open the second round, but recovered to shot five birdies on the next six holes and only bogeyed one additional hole to close out her round and claim the championship.
“Looking at how Iliska [Verwey] is playing, she is tremendous and it's apparent she is not afraid to be at the top,” said Mant. “In her first four events, she has been in a playoff for a win and now has her first win. She is quite a talent and we're going to push her to do great things.”
The Panthers had all five players finish in the top-10 overall, as did the Lady Jaguars. In addition to Verwey's top finish, sophomore Cathrine Madsen tied for fourth (+7), redshirt freshman Sandra Maier tied for sixth (+8), junior Claire Starkie tied for eighth (+9) and redshirt junior Anna Scott claimed 10th (+10) while playing through illness.
Last year, the Panthers claimed victory at the Lady Jaguar Invitational after consecutive rounds of 303.
Georgia State returns to action on October 29 at the Edwin Watts/Palmetto Intercollegiate on Kiawah Island, S.C. Check GeorgiaStateSports.com for updates prior to the event.
Final Georgia State Individual Results
1. Iliska Verwey 74-70 ? 144, E
t4. Cathrine Madsen 77-74 ? 151, +7
t6. Sandra Maier 77-75 ? 152, +8
t8. Claire Starkie 76-77 ? 153, +9
10. Anna Scott 77-77 ? 154, +10
Final Team Results
1. Georgia State 304-296 ? 600, +24
2. Augusta State 302-299 ? 601, +25
3. Wofford 325-316 ? 641, +65
4. Mercer 325-326 ? 646, +70
5. Kennesaw State 333-323 ? 656, +80
