MOBILE, Ala. – Led by a pair of 3-under par 69’s from Jenny Marston and Ari Acuff, the Georgia State women’s golf team shot a final round 2-over 290 to finish in ninth-place at the USA Intercollegiate at the Robert Trent Jones Trail – Magnolia Grove (Crossings Course) on Monday.
Marston’s round included three-straight birdies on the front nine and one more on the back nine as she finished the 54-hole event at 1-under par and tied for 11th place.
Acuff shot a back nine 31 which included six birdies en route to her 69, the first time in her collegiate career shooting a round in the 60’s. She finished the three-day event at even par and tied for 15th.
The two 69’s are tied for the seventh-lowest final round scores in program history.
Georgia State’s 2-over par round tied for the sixth-lowest final round in program history as the Panthers finished the week at 20-over par. Georgia State’s 884 total is tied for the 12th-lowest three round tournament score in program history.
“Today was a fun battle on the course and the team really gave it their all,” head coach Jessica Steward said. “Ari and Jenny led the way with some great performances for us. This was Ari’s first collegiate round in the 60’s and we expect to see much more of that from her in the future. Her back nine was incredible, she was five under par. Jenny had to come back out after a rain delay to finish her last hole and she was able to save par from two different bunkers to finish 3-under. Maria also had a good day out there and made lots of birdies. This was a good start to the year, and we’re excited to build upon that as we prepare for FIU.”
Following a second-straight 14-under 274, Sam Houston ran away with the team title at 31-under par, winning by 19 strokes. Sam Houston’s Zulaikah Nasser earned low medalist honors at 15-under par for a two-stroke win over teammate Jennifer Herbst.
Top 5 Teams
1. Sam Houston: -31
2. South Florida: -12
3. Middle Tennessee: -9
4. Arkansas State: +3
5. South Alabama: +4
Top 5 Individuals
1. Zulaikah Nasser (Sam Houston): -15
2. Jennifer Herbst (Sam Houston): -13
t3. Sophie Burks (Middle Tennessee): -11
t3. Melanie Green (South Florida): -11
5. Olivia Schmidt (Arkansas State): -8
Georgia State Results
t11. Jenny Marston: -1 (71-75-69)
t15. Ari Acuff: E (74-73-69)
t59. Maria Blasco: +10 (78-74-74)
t70. Kelly Strickland: +11 (76-73-78)
t86. Emma Berlin: +16 (78-76-78)
Next Up: FIU Pat Bradley Invitational; Oct. 16-18; Lakewood Ranch Golf Club; Sarasota, Fla.