BEAUMONT, Texas - Drizzling rain in the morning was the only difficulty facing the entire field in the final round of the six-team Lamar Cardinal Challenge. But when all was said and done, Lamar University's women's golf team claimed the tournament championship for the third straight season. Despite shooting a tournament-high 322, LU were able to hold off second place Texas A&M-Corpus Christi with a three-round total of 929 (306-301-322).
Big Red entered the final round with a nine-stroke lead and increased that margin to up to 11 early on. The Islanders of AMCC closed the gap to three strokes after 13 holes, but LU widened the gap by three just enough to clinch the title with a six-stroke victory.
"To win any tournament is such an accomplishment," said head coach Janell O'Connor. "To win three years in a row is just special. I'm proud of the team and their fight to the end. The conditions were challenging today for everyone and the girls dug deep and figured out how to get it done. I'm so happy for the seniors to end on a high note at home. I'm excited that we are moving in the right direction as we gear up for conference."
Looking for her third straight Cardinal Challenge individual championship, Alessia Trebbi Tindall went toe-to-toe against Lucie Charbonnier of AMCC in a round that came down to the last hole. In the end, Trebbi Tindall would finish tied for second with 225 (71-74-80) trailing overall winner Charbonnier by two. Trebbi Tindall also shares this spot with UIW's Ellen Nicholas.
"I'm gutted for Alessia," Coach O'Connor remarked. "She worked hard to get herself back into position to win for the third straight year. But I'm proud that she handled herself with grace after a tough ending to the round."
LU had two other members in the top 10 as Karolina Krasova finished fourth with 229 (79-71-79) while Linnea Jerlebo tied for sixth with 234 (77-76-81). Grace Connelly placed in 14th after a three-round total of 241 (79-80-82) and tied for 16th was Lucy Bedford with 246 (79-80-87).
LU will rest for a few weeks before setting their sights on the Southland Conference Championship tournament in New Braunfels. That tournament will start on April. 15th.
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