It came down to the wire. The Chattanooga Mocs women’s golf team opened with the lead today at the Fall Invitational at Chateau Elan Resort. Ole Miss took it for a bit, then back to the Mocs and Middle Tennessee tried to interject itself as well.
With a hole or two remaining after a shotgun start, and the Mocs and Rebels tied at 12-under, it came down to the two individual leaders, Emily McLennan and Ole Miss’ Abby Newton to decide it. The duo was tied at -11 on their final hole (No. 18).
McLennan parred, Newton bogeyed and that proved to be the difference for
team and individual titles.
“The turning point was 17,” McLennan shared.
“I knew we were close, then realized I was one behind. I hit a 7-iron to 4 or 5 feet and made the putt
to tie it.
“On 18, I hit a good drive and she went into the trees and didn’t have a shot. I got the par and the win.”
It’s the second collegiate win for the senior from Australia. She joins Emma de Groot (6) and former teammate Agathe Sauzon (2) as the only multiple winners in school history.
She did it in style setting new school records in scoring with 205 (-11) for a tournament and 136 (-8) for 36 holes. McLennan played par or better for 51 holes with a career-high 14 birdies against just three bogeys and fired three rounds in the 60s.
The Mocs set school records for 36 (564) and 54-hole (852) totals. The squad amassed 42 birdies and played better than 87 percent (188 of 216) of their holes at par or better.
“I'm delighted,” coach Colette Murray said. “The team really came together. We got it done this week. We’ll enjoy it tonight and tomorrow, then get back to work Thursday to do it again.
“I’m not surprised by our numbers, we’re very capable. The execution was there and I’m happy for them. They work very hard, and it's nice to see that hard work pay off.”
It was an impressive effort capturing win No. 19 for the program that Murray started from scratch in 2007-08. Senior Isabella Loza tied her career-best finish tying for fourth. Her 4-under 212 shattered her previous best (219, 2015 Chattanooga Classic). Like, McLennan, she turned in three par or better rounds carding 70, 70 and 72.
Sophomores Cris Perez and Megan Woods weren’t far behind. Both set new low totals as well with Perez
tying for 18th at +1
(217), while Woods’ 2-over 218 tied for 20th.
McLennan echoed her coach’s comments when asked about the team’s play as a whole.
“I'm really proud of our team, especially Isa playing so well,” she added. “Now we know more of what we are capable of, the scores we can post, it just makes you hungrier to do it.
“This is that turning point where we've worked so hard and now that we've done it, it will happen more often.”
Chattanooga bested Ole Miss by one with Middle Tennessee ending up four strokes back in third. Memphis was fourth at
+6, while East Tennessee State took fifth at +7.
The McLennan/Newton dual pulled away from the field. The Rebels’
Madisen Bentley was third at -5, with Loza and Leighann Cabush (Memphis) tied at -4.
The Mocs return to the tee next week at the Pinehurst Challenge. The event, hosted by College of Charleston, is played on Pinehurst No. 1.