MIDDLEBURY, VT - The Williams women's golf team extended their lead to win the NESCAC tournament and Middlebury Invitation by twelve over Middlebury.
The Ephs conquered tough conditions as rain came halfway through play. The fairways of Ralph Myre Golf Course continued to provide little roll, but the greens held up well despite the wet conditions. Tees were moved up to make the course more accessible, but the course still proved a difficult test as only four of the 50 players scored in the 70's on day two.
Williams shot 323 today to post a two day total of 651 in front of Middlebury (663), Vassar (693), and Amherst (694).
Williams' Georgiana Salant '14 went wire to wire to repeat her win at Middlebury Invitational (Salant won the tournament two years ago, last year's was cancelled due to bad weather) and notch her fourth career individual win. Salant won by two over Mt. Holyoke's Madi Mendiola. She shot a 75 with two birdies on the par 5 first and sixteenth. Commenting on her performance, Coach Erika DeSanty says, "Georgi displayed great leadership playing with a lead. Being able to post a 75 on a day like today set her apart from the competiton and was increadibly impressive."
Shelby Shote '15 had another solid weekend, shooting an 81 today to place fourth individually. Becky Miller '13, Paige Whidbee '15, and Victoria Student '13 rounded out the scores with 83, 84, and 85.
The team was proud of winning the NESCAC tournament in its inaugural year as a two day tournament. Georgiana Salant comments that the "tournament was important because it was also the NESCAC tournament and not just a regular tournament, which added some extra pressure. But the team responded well, taking the round one shot at a time and one day at a time - staying patient in the tough weather." Salant's feelings are echoled by teammate Shelby Shote, who says "I am proud of how we played despite the less than ideal conditions. I am happy that we beat our first day score because it is one of our team goals and it is the first tournjament that we were able to accomplish it."
The team looks to take the momentum they gathered from this weekend into their home tournament next weekend.
