The Braves holding their trophies after finishing first in the Spring Diamondback Intercollegiate. Submitted Image/Mark DeBusk.
by Zachary C. Young, Editor-in-Chief
Published March 1, 2021
UNCP won the Spring Diamondback Intercollegiate beating out Mars Hill College and Pfeiffer University. All 5 players for the Braves finished in the top 10, with Freshman Toni Blackwell placing first overall. The tournament began on Monday, Feb. 22 and concluded the following afternoon.
Blackwell shot an 84 in round one and a 77 in round two, ending the tournament at 17 over par 161. Blackwell attributed the difference between rounds one and two to less wind and hitting more greens in regulation.
Blackwell finished at least 11 strokes better than every other player, excluding Braves golfers.
Toni Blackwell teeing off on a par 3 at the Diamondback Golf Club in Loris, S.C.. Submitted Image/Mark DeBusk.
“It was really exciting to win as a team, We all have been working very hard on our golf game and I believe our team performance will just continue to improve with each tournament,” said Blackwell.
Elizabeth Ritchie finished in second place by shooting a 163, 19 over par. Ritchie carded an 80 in the first round and 83 in the second.
As a team the Braves recorded 339 strokes in round one and finished 16 strokes better in round two, carding a team total of 323.
The Braves will compete again March 1, in the Low Tide Intercollegiate at Dunes West Golf & River Club.
