Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Butler University
Saluki Women’s Golf Rallies to Win Benbow Invitational
03/09/2021 | 7:45:00 | Women's Golf
Southern Illinois women's golf rallied from four strokes back entering the final round to win the Benbow Invitational with a score of 631 (+63). The Salukis shot 308 (+24) in Tuesday's final round at Jacksonville Beach Golf Club, the best score in the six-team field, to jump ahead of Evansville and Butler to claim their first tournament title in nearly two years.
"I was very impressed with our performance despite the challenges of the wind," said SIU head coach Danielle Kaufman. "Erica Kerr really stepped up and led the team. I'm proud of all our players; they demonstrated mental toughness throughout the tournament."
SIU had all seven Salukis finish in the Top-25 on the player leaderboard to clinch first place. Fifth year Erica Kerr posted 76 in the final round and finished in third place (+12). Senior Emilyee McGiles followed closely, finishing in fourth place with a score of 156 (+14). Senior Moyea Russell and sophomore Amelia Lawson finished tied for 12th place at 22-over. Freshman Janie Samattiyadeekul shot 165 (+23) to finish tied for 18th place.
Sophomore Ayanna Habeel, who was competing as an individual, picked up an eagle in the final round on No. 2 to finish tied for 5th place (+15). Freshman Adriana Vinterova also competed as an individual and finished tied for 25th place with a final score of 171 (+29).
WHAT'S NEXT
The Salukis return to Carbondale, Illinois to prepare for the Battle Between Southern and Bradley at Hickory Ridge Golf Course on Saturday, March 13.
TEAM
1 Southern Illinois 323-308=631 (+63)
2 Evansville 322-318=640 (+72)
3 Eastern Michigan 327-314=641 (+73)
4 Butler 319-323=642 (+74)
5 Purdue Fort Wayne 335-329=664 (+96)
6 Savannah State University 366-352=718 (+150)
SIU
3 Erica Kerr 78-76=154 (+12)
4 Emilyee McGiles 80-76=156 (+14)
T12 Moyea Russell 79-85=164 (+22)
T12 Amelia Lawson 87-77=164 (+22)
T18 Janie Samattiyadeekul 86-79=165 (+23)
T5 Ayanna Habeel 79 -78=157 (+15) *Individual
T24 Adriana Vinterova 87-84=171 (+29) *Individual
STAY SOCIAL
For the latest on Southern Illinois Women's Golf, follow the team on Twitter (@SIU_WGolf), Instagram (@SIU_WGolf), and like the team's official Facebook page (SIUWGolf).
