HANAHAN, S.C. — The LSU women’s golf was ranked 13th in the pre-season polls and LSU Coach Karen Bahnsen felt she had the type of team entering the season opening College of Charleston Cougar Classic, that could live up to that pre-season ranking.
Tuesday, her Lady Tigers showed that ability as they rallied to win the 54-hole opening event of the 2004 fall season over the 6,031 yard Yeamans Hall layout.
LSU, down two shots to Tennessee after the 36-hole Monday round, took the lead early, only to fall as many five shots behind the Lady Vols midway through the round. But LSU got back in the game and put the tournament away with an eagle by freshman Rebecca Kuhn on the par-5 18th and two other birdies to win by three shots over Tennessee.
The Lady Tigers, after shooting even par 288 and seven-over 295 in the first two rounds on Monday, finished with a two-over 290 Tuesday to play 54 holes in nine-over 873, the second lowest aggregate score the LSU women’s golf team has recorded in its 26-year history.
The win was the 28th team victory in the program’s history, 27 under Coach Bahnsen, in her 21st year as the dean of Southeastern Conference women’s golf coaches, putting her 13th all-time on the list of winningest women’s golf coaches in Division I. It marks the first time LSU has won the opening tournament of the season since 1996 when LSU captured the Auburn Tiger Invitational.
Following Tennessee’s 12-over total of 876 was Furman in third at 17-over 881, with Virginia (883) and Wake Forest (887) rounding out the top five. Other SEC teams in the field were Ole Miss in seventh (904) and Kentucky (tied for 12th – 925).
LSU junior Vicky Meyer had the best finish of her Lady Tiger career, taking home third place after a final round of even-par 70 to give her a 54-hole total of two-under 214 (71-71-72). Rachel Smith of Virginia came from pack in the pack to win at four-under 212 with a final round of four-under 68 (74-70-68). Violeta Retamoza of Tennessee was second at three-under 213 (70-69-74).
Brooke Shelton posted her seventh career top 10 finish at LSU as the senior posted a two-under 70 for her career low round to finish in a tie for seventh at one-over 217 (71-76-70). LSU also counted on the final day a one over 73 from Kuhn and a three-over 75 from Melissa Eaton. Kuhn and Eaton were solid throughout as Kuhn had rounds of 73-74-73 — 220 to finish in 13th place and Eaton had 74-74-75 — 223 to finish in 16th.
“I thought we were a little lethargic at first after playing 36 holes on Monday,” said Bahnsen. “But the girls kept asking where we were in the standings and I kept telling them we were close. They really fought hard and responded and the eagle and the birdies at the end were absolutely huge for us. I’m very proud of this team and they certainly have gotten us off to the right start.”
The Lady Tigers are next back in action Oct. 1-3 at the Mason Rudolph Invitational in Nashville, Tenn.
Cougar Classic
Final Team results (Par 288-864)
1. LSU 288-295-290 — 873 +9; 2. Tennessee 289-292-295 — 876 +12; 3. Furman 290-298-293 — 881 +17; 4. Virginia 294-293-296 — 883 +19; 5. Wake Forest 296-293-298 — 887 +23; 6. North Carolina 290-305-302 — 897 +33; 7. Ole Miss 294-299-311 — 904 +40; 8. Campbell 307-304-295 — 906 +42; 9. Charleston 299-303-305 — 907 +43; 10. North Carolina State 299-311-298 — 908 +44; 11. East Carolina 295-312-307 — 914 +50; 12. Kentucky 302-317-306 — 925 +61; 12. Richmond 312-310-303 — 925 +61; 14. Maryland 306-311-314 — 931 +67; 15. Florida State 316-313-304 — 933 +69; 16. Charleston Southern 347-350-347 — 1044 +180.
Top 5 Individuals (Par 72-216)
1. Rachel Smith, Virginia, 74-70-68 — 212 -4; 2. Violeta Retamoza, Tennessee, 70-69-74 — 213 -3; 3. Vicky Meyer, LSU, 71-71-72 — 214 -2; 3. Leah Wigger, Virginia, 70-71-73 — 214 -2; 5. Jenny Suh, Furman, 72-74-69 — 215 -1.
LSU Scores
T3. Vicky Meyer 71-71-72 — 214 -2
T7. Brooke Shelton 71-76-70 — 217 +1
13. Rebecca Kuhn 73-74-73 — 220 +3
T16. Melissa Eaton 74-74-75 — 223 +7
T48. Kimberly Meck 73-79-80 — 232 +16