VIDEO: Kelsey Hutson Interview
VIDEO: Sights and sounds from Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. - Battling cold temperatures early, the Carson-Newman women's golf team held off a feisty North Alabama team to finish second at the Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate.
The Eagles shot a 27-over 311 in the second round, finishing the tournament with a 41-over 609. That score passes Eastern Kentucky's 36-hole score of 620 in 2015 for the third-best score in Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate history. Tournament champion Findlay won the event with a 593, the new lowest 36-hole score in Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate history.
As a team, Carson-Newman finished with the third-best score on par fives for the week, shooting seven-over and an average score of 5.14. The Eagles carded the second-most pars on the weekend as a team with 101. Ellie Haughton and Maeve Cummins combined for 47 of those, the third and fourth most of any individuals in the field.
"I am extremely proud of how the girls played this week," says Associate Director of Women's Golf Kelsey Hutson. "We had to deal with a time change and some snow but did well on day one. We had some struggles today on some harder holes but they kept fighting and finished strong.
Haughton became just the sixth woman in Bobby Nichols history to shoot a 147, 36-hole score. The Lincolnshire, England native shot a five-over 76 to finish the week in a tie for third place. Haughton had the fifth-best score on par threes, averaging 3.17 and shooting two-over, along with the third-best score on par fours with an average score of 4.07 and shooting one-over. She also carded four birdies in 36 holes.
"At the beginning of the year, Ellie was very quiet and has just blossomed," says Hutson. "She never gives up, keeps fighting and works hard so I'm excited to see how she does at Lander and then at the conference tournament."
Hannah Holland finished the week at 16th with a ten-over 152 after shooting an eight-over 79 in the second round. Holland led the Eagles in birdies, as the Sale Creek, Tenn. native carded five in her 36 holes. She also averaged 3.17 and shot two-over on par threes. Holland also shot one-under on par fives with an average score of 4.90.
Maeve Cummins did the most moving of any member of the convocation in the second round, rising up twelve spots to finish tied for 17th after shooting a four-over 75 in the second round. The Waringstown, Northern Ireland native finished at eleven-over with a score of 153. Cummins averaged two-over on par fours with an average score of 4.14.
Caroline Nemes fell to a tie for 32nd after shooting a ten-over 81 in the second round. The freshman finished with a 15-over 157 score on the week. Nemes did card four birdies in 36 holes.
Ana Herrera finished tied for 51st after shooting a twelve-over 83 in the second round. Herrera finshed with a 20-over 162 after 32 holes.
Individually, Ashley Holland finished tied for 24th and in a three-way tie for the best score of the individual competitors with a 13-over 155. The younger Holland sister shot a seven-over 78 in the second round.
Aynsleigh Martin finished tied for 55th at 22-over with a 164. Martin improved by four strokes in the second round with a nine-over 80 in her final 18 holes on the Sevierville Golf Club Highlands Course.
Gabby Woods of Findlay won the individual championship with a four-over 146.
Carson-Newman will take the next week off before heading to the Greenwood Country Club for the Lady Bearcat Invitational in Greenwood, S.C. on Mar. 28. Fans can follow along with updates on the Eagles women's golf team at cneagles.com.
