(Pictured: Blinn freshman Emily Madeley watches her shot after teeing off during the Blinn Spring Invitational on April 3)
Emily Madeley finished tied for second place overall and the Blinn College women's golf team captured the Blinn Spring Invitational team title on Monday at the Brenham Country Club in Brenham, Texas.
In only the Buccaneers' second-ever home meet, they shot 34-over par (72) in a one-round bout to outlast five other teams. Blinn finished one stroke better than Region XIV rival Tyler Junior College.
Madeley played a key role in Blinn's victory, placing second at 4-over par after tying for first place. Madeley, a freshman, fell short in a one-hole playoff with the University of St. Thomas' Emma Luna and champion Mia Lerma of the University of Houston-Victoria.
Blinn freshman Krista Vasquez (6-over) placed fourth in the field of 33.
(Pictured: Blinn freshman Krista Vasquez tees off during the Blinn Spring Invitational on April 3)
The team win was Blinn's fourth overall dating back to the fall semester.
"We came in super confident because we were playing on our home course," Madeley said. "We wanted to show people that this is still our season even though we had a couple of rough tournaments to start the spring. We played well together, we pulled together, and today was a great example that every shot counts."
Blinn sophomore Holly Paterson cracked the top 10 with a four-way tie for 1oth-place after finishing 10-over.
"Winning four times in a season ... that's pretty unprecedented," head coach David Johnson said. "Hats off to the girls and my assistant coach Katie Johnston for the work they've put in. When they go to Alabama for the district meet, I think they have a great shot at getting to nationals. Today was a great day and I'm really proud of them."
In addition to tournament medals, all-region awards were announced following the completion of the women's tournament. Paterson was named to the all-region team.
(Pictured: Blinn sophomore Cameron Hubbard watches his shot after teeing off during the Blinn Spring Invitational on April 3)
The Buccaneer men also participated in Monday's tournament, playing two rounds and finishing third (12-over) out of nine teams. Blinn's Blue team placed fourth at 16-over. McLennan Community College shot 2-under for the team victory.
Individually, Blinn sophomores Cameron Hubbard, Van Miller, and Cole McClellan shot 1-over to finish in a five-way tie for fifth place. Freshmen Austin Hassell and Jacob Holloway finished 2-over and finished in a four-way tie for 10th. Sophomore Carson Wray was 3-over for 14th place. A total of 49 golfers made up the men's field.
"The guys played solid golf," Johnson said. "We played well, we just didn't have anyone shoot under par. At this golf course, with the wind blowing the way it was, you can't take anything away from what we did. There was a lot of quality golf played today and I was proud of the guys for the way they competed."
(Pictured: Blinn sophomore Van Miller keeps his eye on the ball following a putt during the Blinn Spring Invitational on April 3)
Up next, the Blinn women will play in the NJCAA South District meet beginning Monday, April 10, at the Cross Creek Golf Course in Cullman, Ala. The tournament serves as the women's qualifier for the NJCAA Division I Women's Golf Championship tournament. The Buccaneer men will compete in the NJCAA Southwest District Championship on Saturday, April 15, at The Hideout Golf Club in Brownwood, Texas.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
