Sandra Maier's medalist finish led 36th-ranked (Golfweek) Georgia State women's golf to a team victory at the 16th annual John Kirk/Panther Intercollegiate at the par 72, 6,047 yard Eagle's Landing Country Club in Stockbridge, Ga. on Tuesday.
No. 36-ranked Georgia State's team victory sets a school record for most victories in a season, five, besting 2005's mark of four.
Maier's first career medalist honor came via stellar play both days, but especially in the final two rounds as the sophomore played the final 36 holes at 2-under par. Maier finished the tournament with rounds of 74-70-72?216 (E).
Senior Anna Scott finished second, one shot behind Maier with a 70-74-73?217 (+1). Scott trailed Furman's Stefanie Kenoyer by two strokes entering the final round. Playing together in the last group of the day, Scott bested Kenoyer by four shots to outscore everyone in the field other than her Panther teammate.
Junior Cathrine Madsen contributed a 77 on the final day of play to finish 11th with a 76-72-77?225 (+9). Behind Madsen was freshman Charlotte Lorentzen in 22nd with a 77-75-76?228. Sophomore Iliska Verwey finished the tournament in 53rd, with a 78-81-81?240.
Georgia State's team victory came by outlasting No. 44-ranked Furman's final round charge. The Paladins finished 9 strokes behind the Panthers with an 895. Georgia State's final score of 297-291-298?886 (+22) marks the seventh best score in Georgia State history. Chattanooga, No. 47, finished third at 896, while No. 59 Chattanooga was fourth at 898 and No. 60 Campbell was fifth at 905. The Panthers' also set the lowest three round total in John Kirk/Panther Intercollegiate history.
This is the third time Georgia State has won the event on its home course, the last coming in 2008, and only the second time a Georgia State golfer has won the event.
Today's medalist honor for Maier marks the third time in school history that the Panthers have had three medalists in a season, matching last year's total.
Georgia State now turns its attention to next week's SunTrust Lady Gator Invitational, beginning on April 6th in Gainesville, Fla., the final tune-up before the CAA Championships.
