Monday, March 27
National Golf Club- Tunica, MS
6:30 AM Pacific
UC Santa Cruz Athletics
at
Rhodes Invitational
Mendoza, Birch lead Banana Slugs to second place finish
3/28/2023 2:13:00 PM | Women's Golf
TUNICA, MS (3/28) -- Gillian Mendoza placed fourth and Riley Birch was eighth at the Rhodes College Invitational hosted at the National Golf Course in Tunica, Mississippi.
The duo both were named to the All-Tournament team.
After a first round 73 to lead the field, Mendoza finished both Monday's second round and Tuesday's third round with a score of 81, finishing with a total score of 19-over-235.
Birch stayed in the race throughout the tournament, opening with a 77 in Round One and had 80 and 84 in the last two rounds to finish five strokes behind Mendoza with a 241.
"I'm happy that I was able to put up a strong first round to put me into contention," Mendoza said. "The course and weather conditions were rough, so it was pretty challenging mentally and physically because this was our first tournament playing 36 holes for the first day.
"Overall I'd say I put up a good fight and I hope to keep this momentum going into our home tournament the following weekend."
Mikaela Paracuelles was 12th with a three-round total of 254. Tani Ng was 18th as she improved each round to finish with 264. Alyssa Yee finished 35th. Although she didn't have a second round score, she bounced back and had the best score of anyone in the third round with 76.
Overall, UC Santa Cruz had a three-round team score of 971 to finish in second place, 35 shots back of hosts Rhodes.
The Banana Slugs return to action back on the West Coast when they host the UC Santa Cruz Spring Invite April 8-9 in Pacific Grove.
The duo both were named to the All-Tournament team.
After a first round 73 to lead the field, Mendoza finished both Monday's second round and Tuesday's third round with a score of 81, finishing with a total score of 19-over-235.
Birch stayed in the race throughout the tournament, opening with a 77 in Round One and had 80 and 84 in the last two rounds to finish five strokes behind Mendoza with a 241.
"I'm happy that I was able to put up a strong first round to put me into contention," Mendoza said. "The course and weather conditions were rough, so it was pretty challenging mentally and physically because this was our first tournament playing 36 holes for the first day.
"Overall I'd say I put up a good fight and I hope to keep this momentum going into our home tournament the following weekend."
Mikaela Paracuelles was 12th with a three-round total of 254. Tani Ng was 18th as she improved each round to finish with 264. Alyssa Yee finished 35th. Although she didn't have a second round score, she bounced back and had the best score of anyone in the third round with 76.
Overall, UC Santa Cruz had a three-round team score of 971 to finish in second place, 35 shots back of hosts Rhodes.
The Banana Slugs return to action back on the West Coast when they host the UC Santa Cruz Spring Invite April 8-9 in Pacific Grove.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
