LEDBETTER, Ky. – The Tennessee State women's golf team walked off the course after the final round of the Jan Weaver - Murray State Invitational in Ledbetter, Ky. with a school record. The Tigers finished the tournament with their lowest score in a 54-hole event. TSU had set the record this time last year when the team combined for a 1,022 at the Par-72, 6,178 yard, Drake Creek Golf Club. A year later, the Tigers returned to the same course and trimmed 11 strokes off for a 1,011.
Kelly Merkel spearheaded the attack as she carded a career best 3-over, 75. The score is the lowest by a Tiger since Jamie Pierce recorded the same mark on November 6, 2010.
Consistent play paced Merkel (80-86-75=241) as she picked up 13 pars and used a 15-foot putt for her lone birdie on Tuesday. The junior converted an up-and-down on No. 5 as she drained an uphill, right to left, 10-footer to save par.
Needleman (86-82-85=253) completed her career best three-round performance by stringing together five consecutive pars. The junior hit 12 fairways, eight greens and used 32 putts during the final session.
Dap (95-87-85=267) saved her best performance of the invitational for last. On the par-4, 10th, Dap found herself in trouble as her tee shot nuzzled up beside the cart path. The red-shirt junior used a 4-iron into the wind and landed the ball just passed the pin setting up a downhill putt. Dap came up short on the birdie and had a tap in for par.
Spicer (85-84-87=256) registered four up-and-downs, while hitting six fairways and six greens. Laura Bremer (89-90-95=274) finished the day with four fairways, six greens and 38 putts.
Freshman Imani Stingley (98-97-95=290) improved for the second consecutive round as she tallied four pars.
#BigBlueRising
