UCF Challenge Final Round Gallery
March 6, 2007
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Four of the top six teams in the country were part of the 13-team field at the UCF Challenge, but one stood well above the rest as No. 3 Duke claimed a 26-stroke victory at the inaugural event held at the Villas of Grand Cypress.
The Blue Devils continued their dominance of the North and South courses on Tuesday as they posted the top score (287, -1) for the third-straight round. Sophomore Amanda Blumenherst led the way for the two-time defending national champions as she earned medalist honors with a three-round total of 205 (-11). Duke finished with a three-round score of 860 (-4).
"It was a lot of fun," Duke head coach Dan Brooks said. "I have a great group. They pulled together, they are talented and that makes it awfully easy on a golf coach."
No. 2 Georgia took second place after the Bulldogs totaled a 291 (+3) on the final day to finish at 886 (+22). No. 3 Pepperdine and No. 6 Vanderbilt tied for third with scores of 898 (+34), respectively. No. 15 Florida (907, +43) rounded out the top five.
Blumenherst was 12 shots clear of her competition in the individual race as Vanderbilt's Jacqui Concolino took runner-up honors with a total of 217 (+1). Alina Lee of Georgia was third at 218 (+2) and she was followed by Jennie Lee of Duke in fourth at 219 (+3). There was a two-tie for fifth between Georgia's Taylor Leon and Duke's Alison Whitaker.
With her medalist honors, Blumenherst also received a sponsor's exemption to the LPGA's Sybase Classic, which will be played May 17-20 at the Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, N.J. This is the first time in history that an LPGA tour event has offered a sponsor's exemption to the winner of a collegiate event.
UCF sophomore Mayule Tomimbang (Kissimmee, Fla./Gateway) turned in the top score of the day among the team players for the Knights, carding a 77 (+5). Tomimbang and freshman Leigh Crosby (Athens, Ga./Oconee) tied for 51st with totals of 237 (+21).
The host Knights took 12th in the 13-team field with Sara Hurwitch (Potomac Falls, Va./Dominion) leading the team players. Hurwitch had a three-day total of 236 (+20) and tied for 46th. Freshman Victoria Tomko (Lontzen, Belgium/Bradenton Academy) and senior Lauren Motyl (New Bedford, Mass./New Bedford), who were both playing as individuals in the field, had the best overall rounds by UCF golfers as each carded a 76 (+4). Tomko was the top overall Golden Knight in the field, placing in a tie for 36th with a three-round total of 233 (+17).
UCF returns to the links on March 10-11 in Gainesville, Fla., for the two-day Gator Invitational. For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF athletics.
Team Leaderboard - FinalRank Team Totals1 Duke 289-284-287 = 860 (-4)2 Georgia 305-290-291 = 886 (+22)3 Pepperdine 296-298-304 = 898 (+34) Vanderbilt 302-298-298 = 898 (+34)5 Florida 313-301-293 = 907 (+43)6 Purdue 313-304-303 = 920 (+56)7 LSU 312-300-309 = 921 (+57)8 New Mexico 307-310-305 = 922 (+58) Alabama 321-301-300 = 922 (+58)10 Arkansas 312-312-304 = 928 (+64)11 Ohio State 322-304-311 = 937 (+73)12 UCF 324-308-320 = 952 (+88)13 SMU 323-322-309 = 954 (+90)
Individual Leaderboard-FinalRank Player (School) Total1 Amanda Blumenherst (Duke) 70-65-70 = 205 (-11)2 Jacqui Concolino (Vanderbilt) 72-75-70 = 217 (+1)3 Alina Lee (Georgia) 73-72-73 = 218 (+2)4 Jennie Lee (Duke) 73-72-74 = 219 (+3)5 Taylor Leon (Georgia) 71-77-72 = 220 (+4) Alison Whitaker (Duke) 71-74-75 = 220 (+4)
UCF Golfers (place)*Victoria Tomko (T36) 84-73-76 = 233 (+17)Sara Hurtwich (T46) 77-76-83 = 236 (+20)Leigh Crosby (T51) 82-73-82 = 237 (+21)Mayule Tomimbang (T51) 81-79-77 = 237 (+21)*Lauren Motyl(T51) 78-83-76 = 237 (+21)*Holly Boot (T56) 82-76-82 = 240 (+24)Stephanie Connelly (63) 84-80-78 = 242 (+26)Kristy McLaughlin (70) 85-81-88 = 254 (+38)*Annabel Silk (71) 88-85-83 = 256 (+40)* playing as individuals
Notes ? Duke sophomore Amanda Blumenherst earned a sponsor's exemption to the LPGA's Sybase Classic by winning the event.
? Pepperdine's Leanne Bowditch holed out her approach shot on the Par, 10th hole for only the second eagle of the tournament.
? Blumenherst fired a 31 (-5) on the front nine of her second round and finished with a 65 (-7), both tallies were the best nine and 18-hole scores of the tournament.
? Blumenherst led all golfers with a three-under total on Par 3's, a three-under total on Par 4's and a five-under total on Par 5's. She also led the field with 17 birdies.
? Duke's Jennie Lee led the field with 42 pars during her three rounds.
? SMU had the best improvement from round two to three as the Mustangs combined for a 309 on Tuesday after posting a 322 in Monday's afternoon round.