Starting the final round of the Lady Northern Invitational 15 shots behind first-day leader No. 19 Ohio State, the UCF women’s golf team was going to need an all-around team effort to overcome the deficit. Behind freshmen Katie Mitchell (Fernandina Beach, Fla.) and Monfia Sealy (Glencoe, Trinidad and Tobago) the Knights did just that, shooting a final round 289 (+5) to capture their first tournament title since 2010.
This is the second tournament victory under head coach Courtney Trimble whose squad knocked off five ranked opponents in No. 19 Ohio State, No. 33 Illinois, No. 42 Augusta State, No. 43 Iowa State and No. 45 Michigan.
“I am extremely pleased with the team’s performance out there today on such a tricky and difficult course,” Trimble said. “They did an awesome job handling their emotions out there today. Something just clicked after that first 18 yesterday, and it was just awesome watching them do so well on a physically exhausting course.”
UCF is no stranger to the top of the leaderboard as it led going into the final round of last week’s Bettie Lou Evans Invitational in Kentucky. After coming up just short on the Big Blue Course, the Knights bounced back in grand fashion.
“After losing the tournament in Kentucky last week, I think they were pretty hungry,” Trimble added. “Today, we knew if we went out and played like we did in the second round yesterday that we would have a chance to win the tournament. They just played incredibly well.”
Mitchell’s sensational rookie campaign continued on the Donald Ross Golf Course at French Lick as she claimed second place after shooting an even-par 71 to close out the tournament at +4 (217). After claiming runner-up in the ultra-competitive field, Mitchell has now finished in the top 20 in each of the team’s first three competitions.
“Katie handled being in third place going into today like she had been there before. They all did an incredible job, and it was really fun to watch,” Trimble said.
Fellow freshman Sealy continued her assault on the challenging 6,037-yard course as she shot a one-over 72 to claim a tie for sixth place. This is the first top-10 finish for Sealy in just her third collegiate tournament.
Sophomore Kaitlyn Price (Jacksonville Beach, Fla.) turned in her best round of golf when it mattered most with an even-par 71 to move her into a tie for 11th with teammate Carolin Pinegger (Marquartstein, Germany). Both Knights concluded the tournament at +12 225. Freshman Heather Proctor (Ocala, Fla.) rounded the team in a tie for 54 th.
UCF will look to carry the momentum from Tuesday’s victory into the final tournament of the fall when it competes in the Alamo Invitational in San Antonio, Texas, Oct. 30 through Nov. 1.
Team Scores
- UCF 308-290-289=887 (+35)
- Ohio State 293-290-309=892 (+40)
- Michigan 298-293-302=893 (+41)
- Iowa State 299-296-301=896(+44)
- Augusta State 297-303-302=902(+50)
Individual Scores