May 8, 2004

FURMAN GOLFERS RETURN TO NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Florida -- Furman’s Lady Paladin golf team recorded a final round 295 in Saturday’s NCAA East Regional, to earn a sixth-place finish and berth in the NCAA National Championsips, May 18-21, in Auburn, Ala.

Furman counted a pair of even-par 72s by Connor Atkinson and Sarah Johnston, a 73 by Jenny Suh, and a 78 by Monique Gesualdi to move up the leaderboard at the 6,165-yard, par 72 El Campeon Course at Mission Inn Resort. Freshman Theresa Paik was the non-counter on the day after an 81.

The top eight finish secures Furman’s return to the National Championship for the 14th time since 1983, but the first time since 1999, when the Lady Paladins placed 15th at the Tulsa Country Club.

Furman was in 13th after round one of the regional, moved into eighth after round two and finished sixth following Saturday’s 295. Furman’s three-round 907 was one stroke out of fifth and 11 strokes ahead of the seventh-place Volunteers of Tennessee. Top-ranked Duke won the NCAA East Regional with an 869, while UNLV finished second at 891.