Winthrop’s golf season teed off this September to impressive results.
By Kyan Feser
Staff Writer
Sports
Winthrop’s first-division golf teams returned Sept. 7, opening with an impressive display by the women’s team at the Golfweek Fall Challenge.
The Eagles carded the third-lowest team score at the tournament, the second-lowest from an Eagles team since the program’s inception.
“There’s a lot of talent on the roster, and we’re excited to see how far we can go,” said Amelie Tolf, a senior on the team.
Player Alanya Friedt posted a collegiate-low at the tournament, scoring a 1-under-par 71 in the final round, an impressive first tournament for the team’s only freshman.
This freshman status “can be a little intimidating,” Friedt said. “But my teammates have done a good job of including me and making me feel welcome,” she added.
“I’m really glad to have them.”
In the following days, the team climbed three leaderboard spots to secure seventh at the Elon Women’s Invitational, placing them one spot below their sixth-place finish last season.
The Eagles posted a team score under 900 (+36) at the tournament, marking the fifth time that has happened in program history.
“We have been posting good scores as a team for the beginning of the year,” said Maelle Dreyer, a graduate student on the team.
Kasay Gambrell, the team’s coach, feels the same. Currently, there are “no fears for the season,” she said.
“We just need to continue preparing for each tournament one at a time. Continuing accomplishing small goals to get to a bigger goal,” Gambrell said.
These goals may reveal themselves on Oct. 13–14, as the women’s team heads for the Terrier Intercollegiate at Wofford College.
The men’s team had a similar start, finishing seventh at both the Bryan National Collegiate and Graeme McDowell Invitational.
At the Bryan National Collegiate, Ashton Eubanks, junior, moved 45 slots up on the leaderboard following a 2-under 70 and 1-over 73 on the final day.
At the Graeme McDowell Invitational, Mason Tucker, senior, moved up 18 slots following an even par 70.
Following these tournaments, the men’s team competed at the Bryan Bros Collegiate, a tournament hosted at the University of South Carolina. Originally scheduled for Sept. 29–30, the tournament was moved to begin on Sunday, Sept. 28.
In a shift from previous records, the team fell to last place, securing 15th at the tournament.
Despite the low ranking, the Eagles have a shot at redemption on Oct. 13–14, as the men are headed for the Bash In The Boro at Georgia Southern University.
