HANAHAN, S.C. — Florida State posted 13 birdies on the back nine to move from fifth to the championship of the College of Charleston Cougar Classic Tuesday at the Yeamans Hall Course as the LSU women’s golf team finished in fourth place.
The Seminoles were five-under on holes 10-18 on the final day and posted a final round score of three-under 285 to win the championship with a 54-hole total of nine-over par 873. North Carolina, tied with LSU after the second round on Monday, shot a seven-over 295 and finished one shot back at 10-over 874. Tennessee also made a move from fourth to third with a one-over 289 on the final day to finish at 12-over 876.
The 19th-ranked Lady Tigers had a one-shot lead over North Carolina through the 11th hole, but Florida State was in the process of making its big move past both teams. LSU was only able to tally eight birdies in the entire round, just three on the first nine holes when the Lady Tigers turned at seven-over par.
LSU was 11-over (299) for the final round to finish fourth at 14-over 878 (295-284-299). Although LSU did not get the victory, the 54-hole total is still the sixth best ever shot by the team in the 28 years of play in the women’s program.
Melissa Eaton, one of the senior Eaton twins from South Africa, started the year where she left off with a fourth-place finish in the individual competition with a 54-hole total of one-under 215 (73-69-73). For Eaton it was her ninth career top 10 finish as a Lady Tiger. Lauren Hunt of North Carolina won the competition with a 54-hole total of six-under 210, two shots ahead of Florida State’s Caroline Westrup. Westrup finished at four-under 212 after a final round of six-under 66.
In the final round, Kimberly Meck had the best 18 of the day with an even par 72, while Rebecca Kuhn, Alexis Rather and Nicola Eaton all shot five-over 77. Kuhn finished at five-over 221 and 19th place, while Alexis Rather finished in a tie for 20th at six-over 222.
“The shots we were getting to drop in and easy putts weren’t there as much (today) as they were in the first two rounds,” said LSU Coach Karen Bahnsen. “Still, we had a good 54-hole effort and feel pretty good about where we are after just one tournament. Florida State played some amazing golf (Tuesday). We will get back and now get ready to quickly go again to Vanderbilt.”
The Lady Tigers leave Wednesday night for their next event, the Mason Rudolph Intercollegiate that begins on Friday over at the Vanderbilt Legends Course in Franklin, Tenn. That event runs Friday through Sunday.
COUGAR CLASSIC
Final Team Results (Par 288-864)
1. Florida State 297-291-285 — 873 +9; 2. North Carolina 286-293-295 — 874 +10; 3. Tennessee 299-288-289 — 876 +12; 4. LSU 295-284-299 — 878 +14; 5. Alabama 297-285-305 — 887 +23; 6. Furman 292-296-301 — 889 +25; 7. South Florida 298-301-293 — 892 +28; 8. Maryland 298-299-300 — 897 +33; 9. North Carolina State 305-294-301 — 900 +36; 10. Charleston 302-297-302 — 901 +37; 11. Campbell 301-304-298 — 903 +39; 12. Notre Dame 301-300-305 — 906 +42; 13. NC Greensboro 305-312-303 — 920 +56; 14. Miss. State 314-306-302 — 922 +58; 15. Miami 306-308-313 — 927 +63; 16. Richmond 310-311-314 — 935 +71; 17. Georgia State 304-313-319 — 936 +72; 18. Kentucky 308-314-318 — 940 +76
Individual Top 5 (Par 72-216)
1. Lauren Hunt, North Carolina 69-71-70 — 210 -6; 2. Caroline Westrup, Florida State, 74-72-66 — 212 -4; 3. Whitney Brummett, Florida State, 70-70-73 — 213 -3; 4. Melissa Eaton, LSU, 73-69-73 — 215 -1; 5. Steffi Kirchmayr, Charleston, 70-73-73 — 216 E: 5. Marci Turner, Tennessee, 75-67-74 — 216 E.
LSU Scores
4. Melissa Eaton 73-69-73 — 215 -1
19. Rebecca Kuhn 73-71-77 — 221 +5
T20. Alexis Rather 75-70-77 — 222 +6
T29. Kim Meck 78-74-72 — 224 +8
T45. Nicola Eaton 74-78-77 — 229 +13