NC State
Cougar Classic
Team Effort Makes Program History
9/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Sept. 13, 2011
CHARLESTON, S.C. - NC State women's golf fired the lowest three-day total in school history at the Cougar Classic to finish tied for fourth in a 22-team field comprised of the nation's best.
NC State's even-par 864 betters the previous record, set during the 2008-09 season, by ten shots.
Additionally, the Pack's first and third round totals of 287 (-1) set school records. The second round 290 (+2) ties the previous mark.
The program first was also good enough to grant the 57th-ranked Wolfpack wins over #3 Alabama, #8 Duke, #10 Tennessee, #14 Wake Forest, #17 Vanderbilt, #32 South Carolina, #39 Minnesota, and #42 Mississippi, and a tie with #19 Georgia.
After one event, the Pack's record sits at 17-3-1, the most wins NC State has ever tallied in a single tournament.
A balanced effort helped the Wolfpack reach new heights at the season-opener, as NC State was one of only two teams in the top-10 without a individual finish of 10th place or better.
Sophomore Brittany Marchand rose to the occasion on the final round, leading the Pack with her 2-under par 70 and bouncing back from disappointing scores over the first two rounds.
The score equals Marchand's career-best and could not have come at a more opportune time, as the Pack had to fend off nationally-ranked threats down the stretch.
Sophomore Ana Menendez represented the Wolfpack's top finisher, claiming a share of 17th overall.
En route to the strong finish, Menendez set a new career-best with her opening round 70 (-2). The Mexico City native followed that effort with a 74 (+2) on day two and a 71 (-1) to close for her 1-under par 215.
Freshmen Vivian Tsui and Augusta James both contributed greatly in their debut showings. Tsui faltered with a 76 in the final round, but still managed a top-25 finish with her 217 (+1), good for 22nd place overall.
James landed in a tie for 38th with her 220 (+4), shooting scores of 73-74-73, all of which counted toward the Pack's team total.
Junior Amanda Baker missed the top-25 by a single stroke at Yeamans Hall Club, carding rounds of 73-72-73 for her 218 (+2).
NC State will try to keep its momentum going next week at the Wild Eggs Cardinal Cup in Louisville, Ky. The two day tournament begins September 19.
