As first reported by gotigersgo.com
November 3, 2009

Lady Tigers Win 2009 UAB Fall Beach Blast

Local standout Sarah Mathews leads the way

Sarah Mathews (Memphis, Tenn./St. Agnes Academy) carded rounds of 74-73 to lead the University of Memphis women's golf team to victory at the 2009 UAB Beach Blast. It is the first win under second year head coach Beth Harrelson and the first for the program since the 2007 Conference USA Championship.

"To think how far we've come since this time last year is just astounding," said Coach Harrelson. "I told the team yesterday to just go out and play their own game today, and that's exactly what they did. I'm extremely proud of everyone for competing on every shot."

Mathews' two-day total of 147 (+3) left her in a four way tie for runner up. The second place individual finish is also the lowest under Coach Harrelson and the lowest since Alexa Porter finished T2 in the 2008 Conference USA Championship.

Senior Leslie Grabeman fired a team-low, even-par 72 in the final round to finish one stroke behind Mathews in fifth, marking her fourth consecutive top-20 finish. First round leader Kathleen Glavin struggled with the putter all day, but still managed to card a final round 78, good for a T8 finish. The eighth place finish is also the lowest of her career. Freshman Alex Alang fired rounds of 79-73 to finish T11, her second consecutive top-20 finish after an eighth place showing last week at the CSU Wendy's Invitational. Marissa Steen posted a final round 77 to finish in T26.

Memphis turned in a second round team total of 295, the lowest under Coach Harrelson, to surpass first round leader MTSU (297-315), which finished fifth, and defeat runner-up Samford (301-304) by ten strokes. Arkansas State (306-300) and Louisiana-Monroe (307-299) tied for fourth.

First round co-leader Carolyn Cochran (72-70) carded a final round, two-under-par 70 to claim medalist honors. Lady Tiger Sarah Mathews (74-73) tied for second, five strokes back.

Since the end of last season, the Lady Tigers have improved by leaps and bounds.

2008-09 vs. 2009-10 Lady Tigers

2008-09                                                            Fall 2009

Avg. Finish: 10^th                                                Avg. Finish: 5th

Team Top-10's: 4                                               Team Top-10's: 4             

Team Top-5's: 0                                                 Team Top-5's 3

Low Finish: 8^th                                                   Low Finish: 1^st

 

The UAB Fall Beach Blast marks the end of the fall portion of the schedule for the Lady Tigers. Memphis will resume competition when it travels to Miami, FL to compete in the Qdoba Collegiate Golf Tournament on February 14-16.

Final Player RESULTS

Final Team RESULTS