The NC State women’s golf team finished fifth at the 18-team Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational at Finley Golf Course in Chapel Hill Sunday.
Three Wolfpack players placed in the top 30 individually en route to the team’s best performance of the season.
The team posted a 884 (+20) score for the three-round event, finishing only four strokes out of second place.
“I was really pleased,” head coach Page Marsh said. “It’s our best field of the fall and they had their best finish.”
The tournament field also featured in-state rivals Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill. Duke ran away with the team championship, winning by 13 shots over second place Arkansas while the Tar Heels finished four shots behind State.
The Pack struggled at times, but responded with quality shots, much to the excitement of Marsh.
“I felt they played with a lot of grit and resilience and tenacity,” Marsh said. “They had some stumbles but they would really come back and that was really encouraging for me to see how much fight this group has.”
India Clyburn continued her impressive freshman campaign with a 218 (+2) three-round score, good enough to tie for a seventh-place individual finish, six strokes behind tournament champion Leona Maguire of Duke.
Clyburn shot 2-under on par-5 holes and scored nine birdies – just two fewer than the tournament-high – as she proved to be the Wolfpack’s top performer for the second straight event.
“[Clyburn] has a real understanding and knack for playing the game,” Marsh said. “She finds a way to manage herself and plays to her strengths.”
Freshman Laura Kowohl, who made her NC State debut, tied for 27th with a 223 (+7) tournament score including a 73 (+1) Friday in her first collegiate round.
Making her way into the lineup because senior Rachael Taylor was in Texas for The Spirit International Amatuer Championship, Kowohl performed very well, putting together three solid rounds.
Sophomore Cecily Overbey produced the team’s lone under-par round of the tournament, shooting a 71 (-1) third round, ultimately ending the weekend with a 224 (+8) and tied for 29th.
Marsh was impressed with how Overbey bounced back in the final round after a tough 80 (+8) second round.
“It’s a round I’m sure she’s going to benefit a lot and learn a lot from,” Marsh said. “Cecily had great resilience.”
Freshman Naomi Ko finished tied for 36th place with a 225 (+9) score while junior Sarah Bae finished tied for 52nd with a 228 (+12).
