The University of the Cumberlands (UC) Women's Golf team came into the week with a chip on their shoulders.  They know that they could compete with the best in the Mid-South Conference (MSC) as well as the best in the NAIA and they wanted to prove that.  They did just that with a performance that probably could go down as one of the most impressive margins of victory in Mid-South Conference history.   

On day one, the Patriots came out consistent with 4 of the 5 Patriot team members ending the day in the top 6.  Liz Stephens (Tockington, Bristol UK) led the way for UC shooting a day one 81 (+9) to finish tied for 2^ndplace.  Laura Beth Harris (Glasgow, KY) and McKinzie Price (Somerset, KY) both shot day one rounds of 82 (+10) to tie for 4^thplace.  Freshman Cristina Jimenez (Murcia, Spain) followed closely shooting a day one total of 83 (+11) to finish in 6^thplace.  Rounding out the team was Taylor Gillis (Lawrenceburg, KY) as she shot a day one total of 86 (+14) to enter day two tied for 11^thplace.  Individual Shannon Bishop (Glasgow, KY) also was near the top of the leaderboard as she shot a day one total of 81 (+9) to tie with Stephens for 2^ndplace entering the final round. 

It was on day two where the Patriots took a 13 stroke lead and expanded it so greatly, they never had to look back.  Stephens ran away with the individual tournament championship after an impressive day two score of 73 to finish with a combined 154 (+10), 8 strokes better than anyone else in the tournament.  Price finished her tournament tied for 2^ndplace shooting a day two total of 80 to finish at 162 (+18).  Jimenez shot a final round 80 as well to finish the tournament at 163 (+19) and tied for 4^thplace.  Harris followed suit shooting a final round 83 to finish at 165 (+21) and tied for 6^thplace.  Gillis rounded out the team shooting an 88 in the final round for a total of 174 (+30) to finish in 11^thplace.  Individual Bishop ended her tournament in 8^thplace after firing a final round 85 to finish with a combined 166 (+22). 

Head Coach Chris Kraftick commented, "This was a tremendous performance for our women.  We showed a lot of toughness in some tough conditions.  To finally get this monkey off our backs and win a conference championship is a relief.  Now it's time to get ready for the NAIA National Championships."

The Patriot ladies will compete in the NAIA National Championships on May 15^th-18^thin Greenville, TN at Link Hills Country Club.

For more information on the Patriots Women's Golf program along with other Patriot athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com.