ST. GEORGE, UTAH – The Florida women’s golf team had its highest finish of the season Wednesday at the conclusion of the Dixie Challenge hosted by Brigham Young University.
Coach Jill Briles-Hinton’s Gators, led by the Top-10 individual finishes of Andrea Watts of Bradenton and Jessica Yadloczky of Casselberry, totaled 303 for Wednesday’s final round and finished in third place. That left the Gators’ three-round total at 915 (+51). Denver won the event, posting a three-round total of 877 (+13) following a 291 Wednesday. Colorado State was second with 899 (+35) following a final-round 292.
“We went into the tournament with at least a second-place finish as our goal,” Briles-Hinton said. “However, I think the team did well on a very difficult mountain course (the par-72, 5,981-yard Entrada at Snow Canyon Golf Course).”
Watts, originally from Colorado, matched her first-round 74 and finished at 7-over-par 223 for a tie for fourth place. She had three birdies on her front side which left her 2-under, but a double bogey and two bogeys on the back nine kept her from challenging for the medal.
“I think being from Colorado helped (Andrea) to have confidence on that mountain golf course,” Briles-Hinton continued. “It was one of the most difficult courses and a golfer really has to play it to understand how to attack it.”
Yadloczky finished in the Top in her third straight tournament and fourth this season, also closing with a 74 that left her at 10-over-par 226 and tied for eighth.
Evan Jensen of Belleair, a freshman like Watts, also had a final-round 74 that left her at 14-over-par 230, good for a tie for 18th. Nicole Schachner of Libertyville, Ill., and Lauren Uzelatz of Lakeland finished at 28-over-par 244 in a tie for 47th. Schachner shot an 83, while Uzelatz had an 81.
The Pioneers’ Dawn Shockley won medalist honors with a 216 total after firing a final-round, two-under-par 70. She finished five shots ahead of teammate Ellie Givens, who closed with a 73 for a 221 total. Malin Enarsson of San Diego State finished third at 222, shooting 74. Watts was tied with Natalie Stone of Colorado State, who also shot 74 for her 223 total.
“I think that this tournament exposed some weaknesses,” Briles-Hinton said. “The team now knows what they need to work on. I know that they are fully committed to putting in the work and getting better. I am proud of their effort this week.”
The Lady Gators play host to their 37th annual SunTrust Lady Gator Invitational April 6-7