University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Monday, November 8
Asheville, N.C.
UNC Asheville
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French Broad Collegiate Invitational
Women’s Golf finishes strong on final day of French Broad Collegiate Invitational
11.10.2021 | Women's Golf
Zaia shoots 1-under to claim third
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville women's golf team capped off the French Broad Collegiate Invitational at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Wednesday, finishing with its strongest round of the tournament led by Venecia Zaia's 1-under-par 70.
The three-day tournament at the prestigious Cliffs at Walnut Cove kicked off Monday morning, wrapping up on Wednesday. The tournament, which included a dinner Sunday, players' lounge and host families for each team, was just the second in its history and first since March of 2019.
"Liftoff! The 2021 French Broad Collegiate Invitational finally happened after a long overdue wait," said UNC Asheville Head Coach Ericka Schneider. "Perfect weather, fabulous course conditions and fantastic golf. This golf tournament is our program's only fundraiser and we set out to put on not only a fabulous fundraiser but first-class collegiate golf tournament. It truly takes a village with our planning committee, volunteers, sponsors, Cliffs at Walnut Cove golf staff, F&B staff, course maintenance team, teams competing, host families and more specifically homeowners at Walnut Cove. Without each and every one of the people who have given their time, financial support, opened up their home or help execute this event I want to say thank you!"
The Bulldogs, who totaled 300 as a team tally Wednesday, finished the event eighth out of 13 teams, just missing having two golfers in the top 20 as Madyson Gold placed T-23.
"To my players I want to say thank you as well," Schneider said. "My presence is scarce when we get closer to the tournament as there is much to get done. They volunteered to help as much as they could while still preparing to play in the tournament and I am so grateful for that!"
Capping off a well-played fall season, Zaia carded the second-lowest round of her collegiate career on Wednesday, finishing with a 1-under-par 70. The sophomore from Murrieta, California, opened her round with a pair of birdies, going 2-under-par on the front nine. Zaia would register another birdie on the par-3 hole No. 11, matching the highest finish of her young career (Pinehurst Intercollegiate, March 2021).
After an up and down start to round three, Gold dialed it in, birdieing two of the final six holes to ultimately tie for 23rd place. Hailey Pendleton and Phoebe Carles would round out the scoring for Asheville, each carding 76's in their final rounds.
"Walnut Cove is a beast of a golf course and can eat your lunch quicker than you can order it. These girls showed grit, resilience, perseverance and fought hard for every shot," Scheider said. "Venecia's top 3 and -1 par final round today was a fantastic close to the season! All of these ladies should be very proud of themselves, I know I am proud of them.
The French Broad Collegiate Invitational puts a bow on the fall season for women's golf. To view the full results and leaderboard, visit Golfstat.com.
"Finishing the final round of our fall season with the best round for us as a team on the last day is a new accomplishment for us," Schneider said. "It's exciting to see the growth and progress from all the hard work these ladies are putting forth."
The three-day tournament at the prestigious Cliffs at Walnut Cove kicked off Monday morning, wrapping up on Wednesday. The tournament, which included a dinner Sunday, players' lounge and host families for each team, was just the second in its history and first since March of 2019.
"Liftoff! The 2021 French Broad Collegiate Invitational finally happened after a long overdue wait," said UNC Asheville Head Coach Ericka Schneider. "Perfect weather, fabulous course conditions and fantastic golf. This golf tournament is our program's only fundraiser and we set out to put on not only a fabulous fundraiser but first-class collegiate golf tournament. It truly takes a village with our planning committee, volunteers, sponsors, Cliffs at Walnut Cove golf staff, F&B staff, course maintenance team, teams competing, host families and more specifically homeowners at Walnut Cove. Without each and every one of the people who have given their time, financial support, opened up their home or help execute this event I want to say thank you!"
The Bulldogs, who totaled 300 as a team tally Wednesday, finished the event eighth out of 13 teams, just missing having two golfers in the top 20 as Madyson Gold placed T-23.
"To my players I want to say thank you as well," Schneider said. "My presence is scarce when we get closer to the tournament as there is much to get done. They volunteered to help as much as they could while still preparing to play in the tournament and I am so grateful for that!"
Capping off a well-played fall season, Zaia carded the second-lowest round of her collegiate career on Wednesday, finishing with a 1-under-par 70. The sophomore from Murrieta, California, opened her round with a pair of birdies, going 2-under-par on the front nine. Zaia would register another birdie on the par-3 hole No. 11, matching the highest finish of her young career (Pinehurst Intercollegiate, March 2021).
After an up and down start to round three, Gold dialed it in, birdieing two of the final six holes to ultimately tie for 23rd place. Hailey Pendleton and Phoebe Carles would round out the scoring for Asheville, each carding 76's in their final rounds.
"Walnut Cove is a beast of a golf course and can eat your lunch quicker than you can order it. These girls showed grit, resilience, perseverance and fought hard for every shot," Scheider said. "Venecia's top 3 and -1 par final round today was a fantastic close to the season! All of these ladies should be very proud of themselves, I know I am proud of them.
The French Broad Collegiate Invitational puts a bow on the fall season for women's golf. To view the full results and leaderboard, visit Golfstat.com.
"Finishing the final round of our fall season with the best round for us as a team on the last day is a new accomplishment for us," Schneider said. "It's exciting to see the growth and progress from all the hard work these ladies are putting forth."
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
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