11.2.2011

FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University women's golf competed at the 54-hole Lady Paladin Invitational October 28-30 hosted by Furman University at the Furman Golf Club in Greenville, South Carolina.  The Lancers, coached by seventh-year head coach Ali Wright, finished eighth among 15 teams with their score of 317-323-318--958.  Longwood completed its fall portion of the 2011-12 schedule at the three-day event in South Carolina, and this is the last weekly golf update this fall; updates will resume in February 2012.

A Quick Look Back At The Lady Paladin Invitational
Sophomore Amanda Steinhagen|Oak Hill (Oakton) led Longwood (958, 8th) with her 233 that tied for 10th individually in the field of 81.  She was followed by senior Kameron Carter|Bassett (Bassett) (242, t-29th) and junior Ha Lee|Hagerstown, Md. (Smithsburg) (242, t-29th), junior Ariel Witmer|North Lima, Ohio (South Range) (244, t-37th), along with sophomore Hannah Pierce|King George (King George) (262, 72nd).  Steinhagen tied for first in eagles (1), tied for 10th in par 3 scoring (3.25, +3), tied for 15th in par 4 scoring (4.47, +14), and tied for 17th in par 5 scoring (5.00, E).  Carter also tied for first in eagles (1), and tied for 13th in par 3 scoring (3.33, +4).  Lee tied for 14th in birdies (5), and tied for 18th in par 4 scoring (4.50, +15).  Witmer also tied for 14th in birdies (5), and tied for 18th in par 3 scoring (3.42, +5).  Pierce tied for 14th in birdies (5) as well.

Head Coach Ali Wright
“We are disappointed in our final result at Furman University.  Amanda had a solid event, which was a good way for her to end the fall season.  We also had a few rounds where individuals started off poorly but were able to string together many good holes to help the overall team score.  We are going to work this off season getting physically stronger and I am looking forward to coming back in the spring ready to win.”

In The Rankings
Longwood is ranked 84th among 253 Division I women's golf teams in this week's Golfstat Rankings.  The Lancers' ranking is based upon their 65.743 winning percentage through four tournaments. UCLA is the top-ranked program this week with its 97.265%.  Longwood is ranked 80th in the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings with a rating of 75.67.  UCLA enjoys the top ranking as well with its rating of 70.72.

Fall Scoring Averages | Season Statistics
Through the five fall tournaments and 14 rounds of golf, Amanda Steinhagen (1048) averaged a career-best 74.86 with a low round of 71 (2x).  She had two top-five individual finishes this fall.  Ariel Witmer (1058) averaged a career-best 75.57 with the team's low round of 70.  Kameron Carter (1085) averaged 77.50 with a low round of 73, followed by Ha Lee (1111-79.36, 74) and Hannah Pierce (1142-81.57, 76).  The Lancers averaged 306.07 as a team, ahead of the school-record scoring average of 307.50 established during 2010-11.  Longwood had two runner-up efforts among its five top-10 finishes in five events.

In The Record Book
Ariel Witmer posted the third-best 54-hole score in program history with her four-over-par 220 at the Lady Pirate Intercollegiate (10.10-11).  Earlier this fall, she tied for what is now the fourth-best 54-hole score in school history with her five-over-par 221 at the Yale Women's Intercollegiate (9.17-18).  Her two-under round of 70 tied as the program's fifth-best low round. Witmer's 36-hole score of even-par 70-74--144 tied the seventh-best in program history, which she matched again while winning her first collegiate tournament at the Nittany Lion Invitational (71-73--144, 9.30-10.1).  She had two top-five individual finishes this fall.

Up Next
The off-season awaits Longwood.