By: by Krissy Wade
KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. - Kennesaw State climbed another spot up the leader board to finish in third place as the final day of competition concluded at the Palmetto Invitational with the Owls overtaking conference rival Campbell, who began the day three strokes ahead.
"To finish third in this tournament is one of the highlights of my time at KSU," said head coach Rhyll Brinsmead. "Each player contributed to our finish and I could not be more proud of the team."
Kennesaw State started play on Tuesday, in fourth place after shooting consecutive rounds of 297 on Monday. With a 302 in round three the Owls climbed into third at 32-over par 896, defeating East Carolina who finished the tournament in fourth, by just one stroke.
East Tennessee State maintained their lead from day one, leading the field of 18 at the Oak Point Golf Club at 15-over par 879, followed by Kansas in second at 31-over par 895.
Individually, the Owls were once again led by freshman Ket Preamchuen who jumped up the leader board from a tie for 16th into fifth in the final round to record another top five finish. After shooting rounds of 73 and 75 in the first two rounds, Preamchuen shot her strongest round on Tuesday, carding a 72 to finish up at 4-over par 220.
"My putting felt great today," Preamchuen said. "I made a lot of crucial up and downs. I am really happy about my finish and the team’s finish."
Preamchuen was followed in the standings by Patricia Arana who ended the day in a tie for 26th at 10-over par 226 after a final round 79.
The Owls received a strong performance from their other freshman, Molly Winnett, as well. Winnett began the day, tied for 16th after shooting a 76 and 72 in the first two rounds. Despite carding an 81, her highest score of the tournament in the final round, Winnett finished in a tie for 34th at 13-over par 229.
After finishing Monday in a tie for 64th at 14-over par 148, Jordan Lazenby was able to rebound in time for the final round, carding her lowest score of the tournament, a 72, to move her all the way up the leader board into a tie for 37th at 14-over par 230.
Abby Fitzgerald completed the scoring for the Owls, finishing the day in a tie for 80th after a final round 79 left her at 24-over par 240.
The Owls will return to action when they travel to Austin, Texas, to compete in their final event of the fall, the Challenge at Onion Creek, hosted by Texas State on Nov. 2-3.
Individual Results
5. Ket Preamchuen: 73-75-72= 220 (+4)
t-26. Patricia Arana: 70-77-79= 226 (+10)
t-34. Molly Winnet: 76-72-81= 229 (+13)
t-37. Jordan Lazenby: 78-80-72= 230 (+14)
t-80. Abby Fitzgerald: 88-73-79= 240 (+24)
Team Results
1 - East Tennessee State, 289-294-296=879
2 - Kansas, 306-295-294=895
3 - Kennesaw State, 297-297-302=896
4 - East Carolina, 295-303-299=897
5 - Maryland, 296-290-312=898
6 - Campbell, 298-293-308=899
6 - UALR, 298-303-298=899
8 - Western Carolina, 300-306-300=906
9 - Georgia State, 299-299-311=909
10 - Elon, 310-300-308=918
11 - William & Mary, 312-302-307=921
11 - Kansas State, 304-304-313=921
13 - Charleston, 299-309-316=924
14 - Mississippi State, 315-309-305=929
15 - Richmond, 313-312-307=932
16 - UMKC, 308-312-315=935
17 - Miami, 325-301-315=941
