Troy University Athletics
Branton Posts Top Five Finish In Season-Opener
9/25/2008 5:00:00 AM | Golf
MACON, Ga. ? Troy University junior Kaley Branton knew she would have an advantage going into this week's Eat A Peach Collegiate golf tournament at the Ider Hour Club.
A native of Cartersville, Ga., Branton is no stranger to the Ider Hour Club, which is the home course of teammate Liz Balkcom. Her results in the Trojans' first golf tournament of the fall were on par with expectations.
Branton's three-round score of 236 was good for the first top five finish of her collegiate career. She finished nine shots behind tournament medalist Tamara Luccioli of Augusta State in fourth place.
“I am extremely proud of Kaley,” Trojans coach Matt Terry said. “The 77 she shot in the final round was the second lowest round of the day and to shoot that score, on that course, is very good. ”
After posting an opening round score of 81, Branton bounced back with rounds of 78 and 77 to climb up the leader board on the par 72, 5,167 yard course.
“I was happy with my performance,” Branton said. “The course played really tough. I think it will be the hardest course we play all year.”
Despite her strong showing in the tournament, the Trojans finished a disappointing seventh in the 10 team event. Troy finished just three shots behind the host team from Mercer, but 57 shots off the pace set by tournament champion Augusta State, which finished the tournament at 81-over par.
“It was the toughest course I have seen in women's golf,” Terry said. “The fairways were 20 yards wide and the roughs were very deep. I was pleased with the effort, but we have to shoot better numbers.'
Only freshman Haley Lawrence (Prattville, Ala.) managed to break 80 in the opening round for Troy, posting a six-over 78, as Troy carded a 332 on Monday. Branton matched that round with a 78 on Tuesday, as Troy improved one shot to 331. The Trojans closed with a 339 on Wednesday, missing out on a chance to catch Mercer, and perhaps High Point.
“I was please to see Haley shoot well in her first round,” Terry said. “We had a 588 yard par five into the wind on the last day, and that is a long par five for male players.”
After starting fast, Lawrence finished with rounds of 87-84 to finish 19th with a 33-over-par score of 249. Balkcom (Juliette, Ga.) finished 29th in the event with scores of 86-85-86=257, 41 over par.
“Liz was a little nervous with a lot of family and friends on hand to watch her play,” Terry said. “It was a good first tournament, but I know this team can do much better.
Senior Danielle Skipper (Cullman, Ala.) finished tied for 33rd (88-82-93=263) and sophomore Annelies Bunnik-Anderson (Ohaupo, New Zealand) finished 37th (87-86-92=265) for the Trojans.
The Trojans will return to action Oct. 5-7 at the USF-Waterlefe Invitational in Bradenton, Fla.
A native of Cartersville, Ga., Branton is no stranger to the Ider Hour Club, which is the home course of teammate Liz Balkcom. Her results in the Trojans' first golf tournament of the fall were on par with expectations.
Branton's three-round score of 236 was good for the first top five finish of her collegiate career. She finished nine shots behind tournament medalist Tamara Luccioli of Augusta State in fourth place.
“I am extremely proud of Kaley,” Trojans coach Matt Terry said. “The 77 she shot in the final round was the second lowest round of the day and to shoot that score, on that course, is very good. ”
After posting an opening round score of 81, Branton bounced back with rounds of 78 and 77 to climb up the leader board on the par 72, 5,167 yard course.
“I was happy with my performance,” Branton said. “The course played really tough. I think it will be the hardest course we play all year.”
Despite her strong showing in the tournament, the Trojans finished a disappointing seventh in the 10 team event. Troy finished just three shots behind the host team from Mercer, but 57 shots off the pace set by tournament champion Augusta State, which finished the tournament at 81-over par.
“It was the toughest course I have seen in women's golf,” Terry said. “The fairways were 20 yards wide and the roughs were very deep. I was pleased with the effort, but we have to shoot better numbers.'
Only freshman Haley Lawrence (Prattville, Ala.) managed to break 80 in the opening round for Troy, posting a six-over 78, as Troy carded a 332 on Monday. Branton matched that round with a 78 on Tuesday, as Troy improved one shot to 331. The Trojans closed with a 339 on Wednesday, missing out on a chance to catch Mercer, and perhaps High Point.
“I was please to see Haley shoot well in her first round,” Terry said. “We had a 588 yard par five into the wind on the last day, and that is a long par five for male players.”
After starting fast, Lawrence finished with rounds of 87-84 to finish 19th with a 33-over-par score of 249. Balkcom (Juliette, Ga.) finished 29th in the event with scores of 86-85-86=257, 41 over par.
“Liz was a little nervous with a lot of family and friends on hand to watch her play,” Terry said. “It was a good first tournament, but I know this team can do much better.
Senior Danielle Skipper (Cullman, Ala.) finished tied for 33rd (88-82-93=263) and sophomore Annelies Bunnik-Anderson (Ohaupo, New Zealand) finished 37th (87-86-92=265) for the Trojans.
The Trojans will return to action Oct. 5-7 at the USF-Waterlefe Invitational in Bradenton, Fla.
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