Results
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With the final round of the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championships in the book, the Illinois women's golf team has secured another top-10 finish on the season as the Illini brought home a sixth place team effort. UI posted team rounds of 292-294-290=876 at the two-day event hosted at the Cherokee Country Club in Knoxville, Tennessee.
"I am proud of how the team battled today as the course played tougher," shared head coach Renee Slone. "This team applied what they learned yesterday and made smart choices that resulted in some solid rounds in a competitive field."
In the lead for the Orange and Blue were Stephanie Miller and Dana Gattone, who both finished +6 on the tournament for t-18th finishes individually. Miller, a junior, posted rounds of 72-74-74=219, while Gattone turned in three-straight readings of 73. The pair of Fighting Illini combined for 15 birdies across the three rounds of action.
Also finishing in the top 25 individually was sophomore Chayanid Prapassarangkul, who scored 74-72-74=220 for a +7 outing at the University of Tennessee-hosted event.
Bing Singhsumalee finished with a share of 28th place. The freshman carded rounds of 74 and 77 on the opening day of the event before coming out in the final round with a 70 to become the first Illinois golfer of the tournament to post a round below par. Singhsumalee climbed 26 spots in the final round for the top 30 finish.
Additionally, Grace Park turned in readings of 73-75-81=229 at her second event of the season. Park finished with a share of 57th place in the competitive field.
Taking the top team spot was Kent State with a five-under par final reading. With a nine-stroke difference, Tennessee secured second place, one stroke ahead of Iowa State who finished third. Ohio State took fourth while Florida rounded out the top five. Finishing below Illinois was NC State in seventh, Minnesota in eighth place, UNLV taking ninth and Maryland rounding out the top 10. Filling out the remaining spots in the field were the College of Charleston, Chattanooga, Kentucky and South Dakota State.
Next up for the Fighting Illini unit is the Jim West Invitational in Boerne, Texas. Hosted by Texas State, the event will span October 4-6.
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