Kristen Gillman, Bama cruise to Schooner Fall Classic Wins
After finishing second last week, Alabama is into the win column
(Alabama Athletics Photo)
NORMAN, OK (September 25, 2017) - Paced by medalist Kristen Gillman Alabama cruised to the title at the Schooner Fall Classic on the strength of a 15-under final round. Playing at Belmar Golf Club, the Crimson Tide rolled to a 21-under finish and a 17-stroke triumph over a deep field.
The victory was the second-lowest to par score in tournament history and the fourth-lowest 54-hole score in program history.
On Monday Gillman, a sophomore, closed with a career-best 7-under 64 to post 13-under and win by three shots over teammate Lauren Stephenson. In the final round Gillman, who was the SEC Freshman of the Year last season, played a flawless round of golf while carding seven birdies. Gillman jump started her round with birdies on Nos. 2 and 3 before capping her tournament with birdies on the 16th and 18th holes.
The title was the second career collegiate victory for the 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur.
Runner-up Lauren Stephenson closed with a 5-under 66 to post 10-under while Cheyenne Knight helped the cause finishing tied for 21st at even-par. Alabama, after a 35-under, runner-up showing last week at the Mason Rudolph Championship is now 56-under as a team.
"I'm very pleased with our performance overall," Alabama head coach Mic Potter said following the final round. "Today we were able to take advantage of our opportunities. We got the ball up and down when had the chance. I'm happy for Kristen (Gillman) and Lauren (Stephenson). They're both very talented, very decorated golfers who are used to winning tournaments. It's nice to have two players battling for a title because any time you are thrown into that fire, it makes you better moving forward."
Rounding out the team top-five are Clemson (2nd; -4), Florida (3rd; -3), Texas (4th; -1) and Florida State (5th: +1). Host Oklahoma was tied for sixth at 2-over with Notre Dame.
In the medalist race behind Gillman and Stephenson came Alice Hewson (Clemson) in third at 8-under and Dewi Weber (Miami); Ana Paula Valdes (Clemson) in fourth at 6-under.
-Alabama Athletics contributed to the story
ABOUT THE The Schooner Fall Classic
54-hole women's college
tournament hosted
by the University of Oklahoma. Team (best four
scores
out of five players each round) and individual
competitions.
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