October 23, 2022 (Paradise Island, Bahamas) – Teammates Mary Kate Smith and Lauren Thompson tied for individual honors at 4 under par over 54 holes, leading Lipscomb to a runaway win at the White Sands Bahamas NCAA Women’s Golf Invitational at the Ocean Club Golf Course. Smith led the field for the second consecutive day Sunday with a 4-under 68, while Thompson shot a 2-under 70.
Both finished at 212, while first-round leader Siarra Stout, who had the low round of 69 on the first day, was a stroke behind her teammates at 3 under 213. Thompson, a sophomore, earned the individual medal in a five-hole playoff, her second tournament win of the fall season.
The Bisons had the four best individual scorers overall and finished with a team total of 13-under-par 851, 35 strokes in front of runner-up Arkansas State, which was at 886. Central Arkansas was third at 895 and UNC Greensboro was next at 904.
Smith, a senior, shared the low round Sunday with teammate Mia Seeman, who finished at 2 over for the tournament. Stout, a senior, and Olivia Coit of Arkansas State were a stroke behind with 69s. Olivia Schmidt and Elise Schultz of Arkansas State also posted scores of par or better to finish in the top seven overall. Tania Nunez of Central Arkansas had a final round of 71 and finished tied for seventh.
“It couldn’t have been a better week for me or for our team,” said Thompson, who had two rounds under par over the 6,415-yard layout designed by major champion Tom Weiskopf. “I played well this week, and I made a lot of birdies (14). My putting carried me. But I also have a low ball flight and that gives me a bit of an advantage in the wind here. I’ve had a ton of fun this week, and I know I will be back to the Bahamas.”
“I am so happy for these girls,” said Lipscomb head coach Shannon O’Brien. “To have the low four scorers and to be 13 under par as a team is amazing. On top of that, we couldn’t have been anywhere more beautiful.
“Words can’t express how wonderful this week was for a bunch of girls from a school in Nashville. We came here to win, but we are going home with so much more. We have memories for a lifetime from the Bahamas. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to making this event so terrific.”
Rounding out the final team scoring in the eight-team field were host Little Rock at 908, Memphis at 918, South Dakota State at 928 and Florida Gulf Coast at 932.
Lipscomb joins Texas and Campbell as winners of the White Sands Bahamas NCAA Women’s Invitational. Viewed as one of the top collegiate challenges, this NCAA Invitational is among a handful of premier events held at the Ocean Club Golf Course. Most recently, the resort course hosted the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic.
For more coverage of the 2022 White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational, visit whitesandsbahamas.com., follow @WhiteSandsBah on social media and use the following hashtags: #WhiteSandsBahamas and #WhiteSandsNCAA.
Final Team Scoring
1. Lipscomb, -13, 851
2. Arkansas State, +22, 886
3. Central Arkansas, +31, 895
4. UNCG, +40, 904
5. Little Rock, +44, 908
6. Memphis, +54, 918
7. South Dakota State, +62, 926
8. Florida Gulf Coast, +68, 932
Top Player Final Scoring
T1. Lauren Thompson (Lipscomb), 70-72-70-212 (-4)
T1. Mary Kate Smith (Lipscomb), 77-67-68-212 (-4)
3. Siarra Stout (Lipscomb), 69-75-69-213 (-3)
4. Mia Seeman (Lipscomb), 77-73-68-219 (+2)
5. Olivia Coit (Arkansas State), 74-76-69-219 (+2)
6. Elise Schultz (Arkansas State), 77-72-72-221 (+5)
T7. Olivia Schmidt (Arkansas State), 77-75-70-222 (+6)
T7. Tania Nunez (Central Arkansas),71-80-71-222 (+6)
9. Kellie Gachaga (Little Rock), 76-73-74-223 (+7)
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ABOUT THE BAHAMAS
With over 700 islands and cays and 16 unique island destinations, The Bahamas lies just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, offering an easy fly-away escape that transports travelers away from their everyday. The Islands of The Bahamas have world-class fishing, diving, boating, and thousands of miles of the earth’s most spectacular water and beaches waiting for families, couples, and adventurers. Explore all the islands have to offer at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram to see why “It’s Better in The Bahamas.”
ABOUT OCEAN CLUB GOLF COURSE
Atlantis Paradise Island’s Ocean Club Golf Course offers a challenging and beautiful course for golfers desiring championship play. Masterfully conceived, the Tom Weiskopf-designed 18-hole, par 72 championship course stretches over 7,100 yards on Atlantis’ peninsula. The course has hosted iconic sporting events such as the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational (MJCI), the Michael Douglas & Friends Celebrity Golf Tournament, and the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic. For more information about Atlantis Paradise Island resort and the Ocean Club please visit www.atlantisbahamas.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational
Contact: Mike Harmon
[email protected]
BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM, INVESTMENTS & AVIATION CONTACT:
Anita Johnson-Patty
AJohnson@white-sands-bahamas
ATLANTIS CONTACT:
Katie Longley
Atlantis Paradise Island
242-376-1034
