Women's Golf Captures Johnie Imes Invitational

COLUMBIA, Mo. The Ole Miss women’s golf team held off Arkansas-Little Rock and host Missouri to capture the Johnie Imes Invitational Tuesday at the Club at Old Hawthorne. This marks the program’s first tournament title since 2004 and first under second-year head coach Michele Drinkard.

The Lady Rebels finished with a 300-299-301900 to edge UALR (902) and Missouri (902) by two. 

“I felt the week got started when we beat Florida (in football) on Saturday, and we bounced all the way up here,” said a happy and drenched Drinkard after her team dumped water all over her.  “Now we are bouncing all the way home. 

“We had some gusty winds today including side winds, but we hung in there. The last four holes are tough strategic holes, and we just played them one shot at a time and brought it home.  On the last three holes we had two birdies and two pars which were huge.”

Senior Dori Carter took runner-up in the individual standings behind Missouri’s Julia Potter.  The Valdosta, Ga., native carded a 72-69-72213 to earn her seventh career top-five finish and third ever second place showing.  She was the only player in the field to post two eagles during the tournament, doing so on the par 5 ninth hole in rounds two and three.

“Dori played really well this tournament,” Drinkard said.  “She struck the ball well and putted well.  She had a lot of key birdies throughout that kept us in it.  After finishing second at Alabama’s tournament last year and now this one, it won’t be long before she wins her own tournament.” 

Junior Sara Grantham tied for 10^th with a 76-75-74225. It marked her fourth career top 10 finish.  Sophomore Jillian Brodd registered a 75-79-74228, good enough for a tie for 14^th and her first career top 20 finish.

“Jill played well today,” Drinkard added.  “She had a lot of great up and down pars. She made pars on her last two holes that were very key.  Sara played consistent all week and ended today with a key 18 foot  birdie putt that she gave a huge fist pump."

Freshman Ashley Lance, competing in her first tournament for the Lady Rebels, tallied a 77-76-82235, and freshman Haley Millsap totaled a 79-79-81239 to round out the Ole Miss scoring.

Overall, Ole Miss has now won 14 tournament titles in the history of the program.  They will return to the links Oct. 10-12 at the Mercedes Benz in Knoxville, Tenn.

“This wins gives us great momentum heading into the rest of the season,” Drinkard said.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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