Story Courtesy of Eastern Michigan Sports Information
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Home Sweet Home. Led by a pair of top-20 finishes, the Eastern Michigan University women's golf team finished atop the leaderboard at the Third Annual Shirley Spork Invitational on its home course at Eagle Crest Golf Club, Tuesday, Oct. 1. The Eagles posted a final round 303 to cap the tournament with a 54-hole tally of 899 (299-297-303), the 12th-lowest total in program history.
Overall, the victory marked the 22nd title in the program's history and the first for the Eagles since the 2016-17 campaign. Also, it marked the first team championship during Head Coach Stephanie Jennings' tenure.
Senior Julia Stevenson (Milford, Mich.-Milford) posted her second career top-five showing, as she took third-place with a three day total of 217 (72-72-73) on the par-72, 6,164 yard setup. Her total is tied for the seventh-lowest three round tally in Eastern Michigan history, and the best since 2016 when Kelsey Murphy also tallied a 217 at the Pat Bradley Invitational, Sept. 23-25. Additionally, it was a career low for Stevenson, whose previous standard of 236 was set at the 2019 MAC Championships, April 19-21.
The University of Michigan's Mikaela Schulz took home medalist honors with a four-under 212 (68-72-72) ahead of teammate Ashley Kim (73-72-69=214).
Teams faced near perfect conditions with light winds and temperatures in the mid-80s during the round. Senior Maria Connelly (Waterville, Ohio-Anthony Wayne) finished 18th with a 228 (78-74-76), while sophomore Green Apichonlati (Bangkok, Thailand-The Regent's International School) tied for 23rd with a 230 (75-74-81). Junior Preaw Sripatrprasite (Bangkok, Thailand-Siam International) saved her best for last to post a 73 to finish tied for 27th at 232 (80-79-73). In her collegiate debut, Olivia Loberg (Bend, Ore.-Summit) turned in a 235 (74-77-84) in a tie for 36th.
Playing as an individual, Katelin Lawson (LaSalle, Ontario- Ridge Community-Tampa) notched her third career top-20 showing with a 226 (73-74-79) in 12th-place.
The Eagles return to the course Oct. 7-8 at the MAC Fall Preview in Akron, Ohio.
