HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE, Ark. – Led by third-place finishes from
Kelly Strickland,
Ari Acuff and
Aubri Braecklein, the Georgia State women's golf team won the Little Rock Classic by eight strokes. With a team score of 5-over par 869 at Diamante Country Club, the Panthers easily outdistanced second-place ULM.
The team managed to break yet another record, a theme for the Panthers this season, as they tied the lowest round in school history in round two. This is Georgia State's first tournament victory since the team won the CAA Championship by nine strokes in 2010.
Strickland, Acuff and Braecklein all finished tied for third at one-under par, three shots off the lead. The trio combined for 12 birdies in the final round.
"This is a big step forward for our program. We've been working very hard for several years to accomplish something like this and it's very rewarding to travel home with a trophy. We were led by some incredible performances from Aubri, Kelly and Ari. I'm so proud of the whole team." head coach
Jessica Steward said.
This victory is Steward's first with the program as she will look to continue building upon the momentum in the final fall tournament of the year at the Brickyard Golf Club for the Mercer Invitational.
Top 5 Teams
1. Georgia State: +5
2. ULM: +13
3. Houston Christian: +16
4. Missouri State: +20
5. Belmont University: +24
Top 5 Individuals
1. Elise Parel (Houston Christian): -4
2. Kendall Maynard (Belmont University): -2
t3.
Ari Acuff (Georgia State): -1
t3.
Kelly Strickland (Georgia State): -1
t3.
Aubri Braecklein (Georgia State): -1
t3. Chantal Dueringer (ULM): -1
t3. Elle Fox (Tarleton State): -1
Georgia State Day 1 Results
t3.
Aubri Braecklein -1 (72-66-77)
t3.
Kelly Strickland: -1 (73-71-71)
t3.
Ari Acuff: -1 (76-72-67)
t32.
Noemie Boulbes: +10 (76-74-76)
55.
Mahina Leveau: +16 (83-74-75)
The Schedule: Mercer Invitational; Oct. 31- Nov. 1; Macon, Ga.
Field: Host: Little Rock, Ball State, Belmont, Georgia State, Houston Christian, Idaho State, Missouri State, Southern Illinois, Southern Indiana, Stephen F. Austin, Tarleton State, Texas A&M-Commerce, Troy, ULM, UT Arlington, Wichita State
