Wake Forest, Rachel Kuehn sweep Palmetto Intercollegiate titles

February 22, 2021 | by Brayden Conover of AmateurGolf.com

Wake Forest Women's Golf Team (Wake Forest Athletics photo)

After taking the fall off due to COVID-19, the Demon Deacons have started the spring 2nd and 1st

After taking the fall season off due to COVID-19 and ACC regulations, Wake Forest continued where they left off last spring. In what were simply brutal conditions, the Lady Deacons scratched and clawed their way to a team win while also boasting two of the top three individual spots. "This team has a lot of depth,” Wake Forest head coach Kim Lewellen said in a release. “Any one of the players can step up and win an individual title, which makes for a strong Wake Forest team.” Lewellen’s crew did not make it look pretty in Kiawah Island, South Carolina but still got the job done. Led by reigning North & South champion Rachel Kuehn, the squad charged through rain and howling winds on the shores of the Atlantic to cruise to a 28 shot win. With their final round 1-under 287, Wake Forest tallied the only team round under par. Pair that with the only even-par round of the tournament which came in round two and the Demon Deacons came away with a runaway win. Despite the impressive margin, there was not a shortage of star power. No. 5 ranked Virginia, and traditional women’s golf power Furman both ventured to Kiawah. Gina Kim and her Duke Blue Devils took third while the World No. 11 took a T18 finish at 11 over par. Her teammate Erica Shepherd took third place with a 3-over 219 performance. Shepherd, who was two shots off the pace to begin the final round, finished third to a pair of Wake Forest teammates. Wake Forest, who is arguably the deepest team in women’s golf, finished the event with three players in the top five. Sophomore Lauren Walsh chalked her second straight runner up finish with a final round 72 and a 1-over, 217 finish. Keeping her out of the winners circle was fellow sophomore Rachel Kuehn. The World No. 7 traversed Turtle Point Golf Course with rounds of 73 and 74 before taking advantage of soft conditions for 3-under 69, the low round of the day, and the individual title. When asked about her team’s performance, Lewellen said, “They work hard, they root for each other, and are so excited to be back on the course after such a long sabbatical. We are looking forward to a short turnaround and competing next week against another strong field at South Carolina." The clear cut favorite prior to the pandemic cutting the 2019-20 season short, Wake looks to continue their season March 1-3 at the Gamecock Intercollegiate hosted by South Carolina at Columbia Country Club in Columbia, South Carolina.

Results: Palmetto Intercollegiate

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Rachel Kuehn	Asheville, NC	600	73-74-69=216
2	Lauren Walsh	, Ireland	400	77-68-72=217
3	Erica Shepherd	Greenwood, IN	300	71-75-73=219
4	Beth Lillie	Fullerton, CA	300	77-72-71=220
5	Emilia Migliaccio	Cary, NC	300	76-71-74=221