SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. – The Carson-Newman women's golf team completed the Ross Rollins Invitational with a ninth place finish after posting a final round score of 331 at the Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C.

"To start the fall at such a difficult golf course, we certainly started in the deep end of the pool, especially with our freshman," Golf Coach Suzanne Strudwick said. "It gives us a very clear idea of where we are as a team and what we need to work on. It's not going to get more difficult than this event. The teams that were there were some of the best in country."

Sophomore Taylor Hayes (Lake Ozark, Mo) finished with the top score for C-N, as her 242 tied her for 31^st place. Hayes shot an 86 on Tuesday after carding a 77 and a 79 on Monday, which put her at +26 through 54 holes.

One stroke behind Hayes was junior Elizabeth England (Oakland, Tenn.). A first-team All-SAC player last season, England's 81 over the final 18 tied for her team's best final round and her +27 for the event placed her 33^rd.

Making her collegiate debut was freshman Reagan Kinnie (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), who's tourney included a 77 in the second round on Monday and her 244, +28 was good enough to tie for 34^th.

Senior Jessica Hart (Roanoke, Va.) tied England for the best third round on the team with an 81 and finished tied for 53^rd, while freshman Allie Fletcher (Cumming, Ga.) had her best round on Tuesday as well and placed 60^th.

"It was a good starting point for us," Strudwick said. "It highlights some things we need to work on like putting, driving, mental toughness. Those are going to be areas we will focus on this week."

The tournament was won by defending national champion Rollins College, who also entered the fall as the nation's top ranked team. Barry University came in second while Lynn University earned a third place finish. The individual competition was won by Barry's Charlotte Puts, who shot +5 for the competition and put up an even par 72 in each of the final two rounds.

The King Intercollegiate on September 26^th and 27^th is the next tournament for the Eagles. It will be held at the Bristol Country Club in Bristol, Tenn.

-CN-