Dickson, Tenn. – Bethune-Cookman Women's Golf won its second event of the 2022-23 season on Tuesday, with the Wildcats collecting the first place trophy at The Starks Invite by Farmers hosted by Tennessee State at Greystone Golf Club.
Under the leadership of Head Coach
Christopher Stokes, Bethune-Cookman picked up its first victory of the spring season in the suburb of Nashville.
As a team, BCU fired a second round 328, after opening with a 315 collective score in Monday's round. That allowed the Wildcats to finish with a two-round total of 643 (+67) and finish seven strokes ahead of host Tennessee State, respectfully.
"I am really proud of the ladies this weekend," expressed Stokes afterwards. "Conditions were tough, and we've never played with a lead before. The team gutted it out, and it's nice to bring home some hardware.
"It was a full team effort, and I couldn't be more proud of what we've been able to accomplish so far this spring. I'm looking forward to seeing more low numbers and good results the rest of the way."
After firing an opening round six-over 78, BCU senior
Emma Hastie turned in a second-round card of 80 (+8). That allowed the Buffalo, New York native to carry a two-round 158 scorecard and finish fourth in the field. For her efforts, Hastie was named to the all-tournament team – the first of its kind this season.
Wildcats sophomore
Kamary Leaf opened with a team-low four-over 78, before finishing Tuesday's 18 holes with an 83. The reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women's Golfer of the Week finished tied for fifth in the field with a two-round collective 159 (+15).
Freshman
Skylar Kew, also having been named a SWAC Women's Golfer of the Week this spring, turned in rounds of 83 and 79 for a 162 (+18), allowing the Ontario, Canada citizen to finish tied for seventh in the field, collecting her third top 10 finish of the campaign in the process.
Kyleigh Leaf (78-86=164, +20) also picked up a top 10 finish, as the Brownsburg, Indiana native was 10th overall on the tournament leaderboard. The event marked her second top 10 finish of the 2022-23 season, after finishing tied for eighth in the SWAC Birmingham Fall Invitational back in November.
The final golfer for Bethune-Cookman was freshman
Jordan Davis, as the Admiral Farragut Academy alum carded rounds of 121 and 120 for a two-day 241 (+97). She finished 31st overall with a season-low second round scorecard. Her opening round 121 was tied for a personal-best until she bettered the mark by one stroke during Tuesday's final 18 holes.
"It's awesome to see Emma [Hastie] make the all-tournament team, as well as
Kamary Leaf and
Jordan Davis recording personal best scores," said Stokes.
For the Wildcats, the second-round 328 represented the sixth time during the spring season that the Maroon and Gold has fired a 330 or better in a round as a squad.
Tennessee State (333-317=650, +74) finished second overall in this year's tournament, followed by North Carolina Central (334-332=666, +90), Chicago State (332-338=670, +94) and Maryland Eastern Shore (372-350=722, +146). Also competing with individuals only were teams from Paine College and Fisk, respectively.
"This team has faced a lot of adversity over the past two years, and it just feels great to watch them each grow and have success," added Starks. "They are an awesome group, and I'm lucky to be their coach."
BCU will next compete in the annual Babs Steffens Invitational hosted by Stetson in DeBary, Florida. The event takes place March 27-28.
Follow Bethune-Cookman Golf on Twitter (
@BCUGolf) and Instagram (
@BCUWGolf) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (
@BCUAthletics), Instagram (
@BCU_Athletics) and
BCUathletics.com.
