Balkcom Takes Top Honors As Trojans Share Tourney Title

Sunday, March 13

Oneonta, AL

Troy University

Samford University

Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer

Balkcom Takes Top Honors As Trojans Share Tourney Title

3/15/2011 10:23:11 PM | Golf (W)

By: Ricky Hazel

SAMFORD INTERCOLLEGIATE RESULTS: PDF | HTML

ONEONTA, Ala. – The Troy University women's golf team closed with a final round score of 301 on Tuesday to make up seven shots on tournament host Samford to tie for the team title at the Samford Women's Intercollegiate.

Senior Liz Balkcom (Juliette, Ga.) provided the spark for Troy, closing with an even par final round score of 72 to take top individual honors at the tournament with a score of three-over par 219.

“It took a lot of focus,” Balkcom said. “I have been really working hard at practice, as has the entire team, and I just focused on one shot at a time. I never let myself look more than three holes ahead so that I could stay focused and progressively move forward.”

Balkcom said she never really knew she was in contention for the tournament title, even though she was playing in the number one position for Troy in the final round.

I knew that I was playing with some really good players, but I just focused on my game,” Balkcom said. “It is so easy to start playing against the other competitors and not the course.

“We played on bent grass, which is what I grew up playing on. I was able to make some clutch 10-foot putts that I had to make, and that was the key for me.”

Two other Trojans posted top five finishes in the tournament, which was played at the Limestone Springs Golf Club. Junior Haley Lawrence (Prattville, Ala.) and freshman Signy Arnorsdottir (Hafnarfjörður, Iceland) both finished the tournament at nine-over par 225, which was good for a fifth place tie.

Sophomore Sofia Bjorkman (Vanersborg, Sweden) finished three shots further back in 19th place. Senior Annelies Anderson (Ohaupo, New Zealand) struggled in her final round and finished in 42nd place in the tournament.

“Our team is so close to breaking through,” Balkcom said. “Haley played well and consistently. Signy had a 69 in her opening round and Sofia is playing very consistently. We are very close to playing at a level where we can meet our goals.”

The Trojans will be back in action this weekend when they travel to south Mississippi for the Lady Eagle Classic at Hattiesburg Country Club.

“We are going to play in Hattiesburg this weekend and we are excited,” Balkcom said. “The course has bermuda greens, which is a little different. We just have to stay focused and practice hard for the next few days before we leave.”