Gator Country

Gators sophomore Camilla Hedberg shot a 71 during the second round to tie for the individual win at the Florida Challenge. / Gator Country file photo by Saj Guevara

For the third time this season, the University of Florida women’s golf team captured a team title, when it emerged victorious from the Florida Challenge at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Fla.

The 36-hole tournament was exclusive to in-state schools, and included Florida State, UCF, Miami and USF along with Florida. In addition to the Gators’ team victory, UF sophomore Camilla Hedberg was named the co-winner of the tournament after she finished with a two-day score of 143. Hedberg shot a 72 on the first day and a 71 on the second day of action for a 1-under finish.

Hedberg has been no stranger to success this season, as her victory at Black Diamond Ranch was also her third top finish this season. Only 11 other former Gators have earned three tournament victories during their careers.

The Gators finished with a total team score of 586, which easily put them ahead of the second place finisher, FSU, which scored a 595.

In addition to Hedberg, the Gators placed three other players in the top-10 finishers of the tournament, with Elcin Ulu (2-over), Mia Piccio (4-over) and Isabelle Lendi (5-over) enjoying strong showings as well.

“This is a great way to start the spring season,” Florida coach Emily Bastel said in a UF release. “We can take a lot of positives away from today. We had some highlights individually. … Black Diamond is an awesome venue and it was great to compete on such a great golf course. We will use what we did today to work on some more specific things before we head to California.”

The Florida Challenge was the first tournament for the Gators since October, when Florida won the Betsy Rawls Challenge in Austin, Texas. With their first competition in three months completed, the Gators will enjoy a couple of weeks off before heading west to the Northrup Grumman Regional Championship at the Palos Verdes Golf Club in Palos Verdes, Calif.

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