The Alabama women’s golf team won the 2016 SEC Women’s Golf Championship on Sunday after shooting a 7-under par 281 in the final round. This title is Alabama’s third in program history, with the previous victories happening in 2010 and 2013.
With this victory, Alabama finishes in the top five of the SEC for the eighth consecutive year. The Crimson Tide shot 5-under for the entire tournament to capture the title. Florida and Arkansas finished in second and third respectively.
Alabama was tied with Florida heading into the Sunday round, but jumped out to a three-stroke lead in the first nine holes. The Crimson Tide then held onto its lead for the last nine holes to seal the victory.
Many of Alabama’s golfers had great individual performances in the tournament. Freshman Cheyenne Knight placed third overall, shooting 3-under par. Senior Emma Talley ended up in fourth behind Knight, shooting a 213 total for the tournament. Sophomore Lakareber Abe finished in a tie for fifth place after shooting a 215 total in the three rounds.
“This is a group of girls, at the beginning of the year, we weren’t sure what we had,” head coach Mic Potter said. “Cheyenne [Knight], as a freshman, had a good junior career but hadn’t played like she has here. And to be as dominant as she has as a freshman has made a big difference. At the beginning the year, who knew? But the more we play, the better they get.”
Other finishes for the Crimson Tide included senior Janie Jackson, who placed 13th with a 4-over par performance in the tournament. Sophomore Nicole Morales finished in a tie for 27th place after shooting 8-over par.
Alabama will be back in action when the team competes in the NCAA Regional in Birmingham, Alabama on May 5-7.