Holder Hangs On

Oct. 26, 2014

UCF Athletics Social Media Directory

By Bill Morrison
UCFKnights.com

WILMINGTON, N.C. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF Sophomore Ashley Holder earned her first collegiate win this weekend, taking medalist honors at the Landfall Tradition on the Pete Dye Course at the Country Club of Wilmington, in Wilmington N.C.

After spending most of the afternoon tied for the lead, Holder birdied her final hole, besting South Carolina's Nanna Madsen by one stroke.

It feels great, Holder said. I knew if I could put three good rounds together, I could win.

Holder did just that, turning in a 67-70-72=209 (-7) for the tournament. She faced one of the most talented fields in the country, beating out 98 other players from 18 teams including No. 1 South Carolina and No. 4 Duke.

The Landfall Tradition is one of the best fields in college golf, UCF Head Coach Emily Marron said. This is a huge win for Ashley.

Holder carded three birdies in the final round, but none bigger than on the par-four fifth, her final hole. It brought her back to even par for the day, broke the tie with Madsen, and secured the victory.

Ashley played steady all weekend, coach Marron explained. Her first round was flawless and she hit the ball really well. I'm so happy and proud of her.

Holder was named the American Athletic Conference Player and Freshman of the Year last season. She led the Knights with a 72.8 scoring average and five individual top-ten finishes in 2013-14.

In team play, UCF posted its fourth-straight top-ten finish, tying Arizona for 10th overall. Laura Sojo, Fanny Cnops Ayaka Nakayama and Monifa Sealy rounded out scoring for the Knights.

No. 11 Wake Forest topped Alabama becoming the first three-time champion in tournament history. No. 1 South Carolina and Notre Dame tied for third.

The Landfall Tradition wraps up the fall portion of the 2014-15 UCF women's golf campaign. The Knights will be back in action February 8-10 when they host the UCF Challenge at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Orlando, Fla.