CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. ? For the second time in a month, the Lady Mocs have been selected the National Team of the Week by Golfweek Magazine.
Chattanooga, led by first-year head coach Colette Murray, claimed the team title at the University of Iowa Hawkeye Invitational this past weekend, their third victory in as many tournaments. The Lady Mocs have drawn national attention on a few occasions this season and were highlighted last week on Golfweek’s online TV program “Off Campus with Lance Ringler” as a team on the rise.
Over the weekend, the Lady Mocs posted a first round 300 followed a 298 in the second round to take a 13-stroke lead into Sunday’s final round at the 72 par, 6,202 yard Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City, Iowa. Chattanooga posted a 311 on the final day to claim the title by 19 strokes over Wisconsin. Freshman Emma de Groot finished second in her third consecutive tournament with a three-round total 223, six shots behind the leader. Sophomore Kelly Brotherton tied for the ninth spot with a 13-over-par 229. Christine Wolf was a stroke back at 230 while Kayla Stewart finished with a 231 and Katie Taylor was 22nd with a 237.
In the team’s opening event, the women posted a record win at the Jacksonville State Chris Banister Classic with Kelly Brotherton claiming medalist honors. They followed that by becoming the first team in six years besides Western Carolina to capture the title at the Catamounts’ Great Smokies Intercollegiate. Chattanooga is ranked 49th in the nation by Golfweek and de Groot, with a 73.33 rating, is ranked 121st in the country while Brotherton is 283rd with a 75.31 rating.
Chattanooga will be back in action this weekend at the Xavier Invitational at the LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla.