March 7, 2010
AUBURN - The third-ranked Auburn women's golf tallied its first win of the 2009-10 season as the Tigers claimed the top spot in the one-day Auburn Invitational, carding a 6-over par 294 team total.
"A win is a win and this team needs as much playing time as it can get so that they can get better and better," said Auburn head coach Kim Evans. "Today was a good day for us to judge some of the things that we need to work on and also some things to be excited about."
The one-day event was played at the par-72 Auburn University Club and gave the Tigers and three other SEC squads an opportunity to get some valuable playing time before hitting the heavy portion of the spring season.
Auburn's 294 performance topped the board, while Florida claimed second place at 297 (+9), followed by Georgia in third with a 301 (+13) and Vanderbilt in fourth with a 305 (+17).
Auburn's Cydney Clanton and Patricia Sanz led the team with even-par 72s, tying for second overall. The pair finished one stroke out of first as Georgia's Emile Burger took the top individual spot with a 1-under 71.
"I'm really proud of Patty," said Evans. "Her game has really stepped up this year and we are depending a lot on her. Also, Cydney continues to play a big-time game and will continue to do so and I was proud of how they both came up for us today."
Sanz entered the clubhouse with Auburn's first 72 of the day. The Madrid, Spain native recorded two birdies in her final three holes to complete the day and place herself in the two-spot on the leaderboard.
"I tried to stay patient all the time and not get on myself too hard," said Sanz. "I had to wait for the birdies to come and take things one shot at a time."
Clanton followed with her even-par performance. The junior opened up with a 1-over 37 on the front nine, but rebounded on the back with birdies on Nos. 11, 13 and 16 to close out with a total 72. The second-place tie gives her another top-5 finish on the year, an accomplishment that she has achieved at each event.
Auburn sophomore Haley Wilson carded her first top-10 performance of the season as she tallied a 2-over 74 on the day. Wilson took a 38 on the front nine, but finished at even-par on the back to finish in a tie for seventh place.
"I was really proud of Haley, she bounced back this week and had a really nice game," said Evans.
Following Wilson was senior Candace Schepperle and redshirt junior Karlin Beck, as the two tied for 10th place with their 4-over 76 performances. Beck competed as an individual in the event.
Freshman Carlie Yadloczky earned a tie for 18th with her 8-over 80 day while Madison Overbey competed individually and scored a 10-over 82 for a tied for 21st.
Auburn will return to action next weekend as the team will travel to New Orleans, La., for the Tiger/Wave Golf Classic, which is co-hosted by LSU and Tulane. English Turn is the former home of the PGA Tour's Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
"We're excited to get in the van and go play in New Orleans next week," said Evans. "Our first goal is to go with the best attitude. We have to see the course, get our game plan down and get after it."
AUBURN, Ala. - Final results from the Auburn Invitational hosted by Auburn University at the Auburn University Club. Par: 72. Yardage: 6,234.
TEAM RESULTS
1 - Auburn - 294 (+6)
2 - Florida - 297 (+9)
3 - Georgia - 301 (+13)
4 - Vanderbilt - 305 (+13)
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
T2 - Patricia Sanz - 72 (E)
T2 - Cydney Clanton - 72 (E)
T7 - Haley Wilson - 74 (+2)
*T10 - Karlin Beck - 76 (+4)
T10 - Candace Schepperle - 76 (+4)
T18 - Carlie Yadloczky - 80 (+8)
*T21 - Madison Overbey - 82 (+10)
*Competed as individual