PROVIDENCE, R.I. – UCF senior Kaeli Jones and SMU junior Brigitte Dunne were named the American Women's Golf Players of the Week on Wednesday after posting top three finishes at the UCF Challenge.
Jones and Dunne tied for third among a field of 96 that included seven ranked teams, each finishing with even par scores of 216. The finish was the best of Jones’ career.
After rounds of 70 and 69, Jones found herself tied for the lead entering the final round before a 77 put her at even (70-69-77 – 216). Conversely, Dunne played the final 36 holes at 4-under par, firing a final round 71 to finish at even (76-69-71 – 216).
Dunne and Jones each posted the fifth-best par-4 scoring averages, playing them at even. Jones’ 11 birdies at the Eagle Creek Golf Club were tied for the second-most in the field, while Dunne carded nine.
The host Knights finished seventh as a team, playing the par-72 course at 19-over (299-290-294). SMU tied Penn State for ninth at 24-over par (301-293-294). Both UCF and SMU beat one ranked team in the field, No. 44 Texas Tech.
UCF and SMU will both head to the Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate Women’s Golf Championship at English Turn Country Club in New Orleans Feb. 18-20, where fellow American member Tulane serves as host.
AROUND THE AMERICAN
Kathryn Carson led No. 38 ECU to a runner-up finish at the UCF Challenge … Carson led the field in par-3 scoring (2.67) in finishing a career-best tie for seventh … ECU defeated No. 26 Iowa State, No. 27 Wisconsin, No. 29 Vanderbilt, No. 34 Auburn and No. 44 Texas Tech … Senior Emily Goldenstein was Memphis’ highest finishing golfer at the UCF Challenge, carding a 77 to finish at 223 and in a tie for 29
th overall … Sofia Goicoechea led the way for Tulane, finishing tied for 44
th as an individual among the 90-player field with a 225 (+9) … In the next two weeks, eight American teams will be action – ECU (Lady Puerto Rico Classic; Feb. 11-13), UCF, Houston, SMU and Tulane (Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate; Feb. 18-20), Cincinnati (Amelia Island Collegiate; Feb. 19-20), Memphis and USF (Moon Golf Invitational; Feb. 19-20).