Women's Golf Moves Up at SEC Championships

Saturday, April 17

Birmingham, Ala.

12:00 AM

Florida Gators

SEC Championship

Women's Golf Moves Up at SEC Championships

Saturday, April 17, 2004 | Women's Golf

Three members of the No. 12 University of Florida women's golf team moved into the top seven in the individual standings, helping Florida to tie for fourth place with host LSU after an impressive performance during the second day of the 2004 Southeastern Conference Championships at the University Club.

The Lady Gators went two strokes over par, carding a 290 in the second round. UF carded the best team score of the day.

"The team did well today," Florida head coach Jill Briles-Hinton said. "They all played like I know they can. Camila Gonzalez had an exceptional round today. We're going in the right direction. We have to be focused tomorrow, and we must remain calm."

Florida only is six strokes behind Vanderbilt, who is in first place. Auburn slipped to second place (587), and Tennessee is in third (588). Florida and LSU are right behind in fourth place with a score of 592.

The Lady Gators were led Saturday by sophomore Camila Gonzalez (Bucaramanga, Colombia), who tied her career-best for 18-holes. Gonzalez went under par for the second round, carding a 71. After a strong performance on day two, Gonzalez, who is making her SEC Championship debut, is tied for seventh with a two-round score of 147 (76-71). It is her best 36-hole total this season.

"It was interesting today, and everything seemed to go my way," Gonzalez said. "My putting didn't start out well. I probably hit the ball better yesterday, but I selected my clubs better today than yesterday and that made the difference."

Defending SEC Champion Aimee Cho (Orlando, Fla.) carded a 73, giving her a score of 145 (72-73) for the first two days. The sophomore is tied for fourth and is five strokes away from the lead.

"Aimee has very high expectations, rightfully so," Briles-Hinton said. "I know she didn't play as well as she wanted to today. She'll work it out in practice."

Junior Andrea Vander Lende (Longwood, Fla.) carded an even-par round of 72, bringing her two-day total to 147. Vander Lende is tied for seventh place.

"Last year Andrea was very steady for us," Briles-Hinton said. "So far she has put together two excellent rounds and is becoming her old self since her surgery last May."

Sophomore Amanda Dick (Clearwater, Fla.), who was under par for eight holes, finished the second round with 74 (+2) strokes. Dick carded a 153 (79-74) for 36 holes and is tied for 37^th place.

"Amanda played solid and very steady today," Briles-Hinton said. "She had a hiccup and left some out there today, but I'm confident that she'll get them tomorrow."

Sophomore Tarah McNaughton (Bradenton, Fla.) had a solid performance, carding a 74 in the second round, after opening up the tournament with an 80. McNaughton, who is playing in her first SEC Championship, moved up to 42nd place with a two-round score of 154.

"Tarah is working hard," Briles-Hinton said. "She had a fantastic fall, but has struggled in the spring. She's been in a slump, but she's breaking through it."

Florida got off to a strong start on the back nine, carding a one-under par as a team. Dick led the team on holes 10-18 after a two-under performance. Cho made a nice chip shot to birdie on hole 18 and break even on the back nine.

The Lady Gators tee off Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. (CT) in a shotgun start. It will be the final day of the SEC Championships.

Team Standings

1 Vanderbilt +10 F +3 295 291 586

2 Auburn +11 F +7 292 295 587

3 Tennessee, U. of +12 F +4 296 292 588

T4 Florida +16 F +2 302 290 592

T4 Louisiana State +16 F +5 299 293 592

6 Georgia +19 F +9 298 297 595

7 South Carolina +27 F +12 303 300 603

8 Arkansas, U. of +29 F +20 297 308 605

9 Alabama, U. of +30 F +12 306 300 606

10 Mississippi, U. of +34 F +7 315 295 610