West Leads Daytona State College to Victory at Xavier Golf Invitational

Freshman Amy West wins individual title by 6 strokes

Daytona Beach, FL (October 12, 2009)  Led by the effort of freshman, Amy West (Valrico, FL), the Daytona State Women’s Golf Team won the Xavier Golf Invitational by 7 strokes.  After carding a 73 in the opening round, West shot a 2-under par 70 in the second round and was trailing by 1 stroke heading into the final round.  West fired a 2-under par 70 in the final round to capture her first collegiate individual title by an impressive 6 strokes.  West was the only player in the 81 player field to finish under par.

This is the second team win for the Lady Falcons during the fall season.  Daytona State (881 +17) finished 7 strokes better than 2nd place Campbell University (888 +24) and 14 strokes better than 3rd place Stetson University (895 +31).  Xavier University (905 +41) and Augusta State (907 +43) rounded out the top 5 teams.

Freshman Mitsuki Katahira (Japan) and Sophomore Jennifer Gartin (Port St. Lucie) both finished in the top-10.  Katahira finished in a tie for 3rd place with scores of 71-73-76 and Gartin finished in 7th place with scores of 75-73-73.  Other scores for the Lady Falcons included Ericka Schneider (Bradenton, FL) who finished in 21st place with scores of 76-72-79, Ashley Mooney (Port St. Lucie, FL) who finished in a tie for 32nd with scores of 77-76-78 and Barbara Malone (West Palm Beach, FL) who finished in a tie for 45th with scores of 77-81-79.

“Outside of winning 3 national championships this is the biggest win that Daytona State has recorded in the history of the program,” Coach Laura Brown stated.  This team broke our 18-hole scoring record during the opening round by 2 strokes and then shattered it in the 2nd round.  This team is extremely talented and their dedication is outstanding.  Their hard work is paying off and their success is well deserved by all of them.  The individual performance by Amy West was fantastic and I am very proud of her.”

Click here for complete scores.  The Daytona State Women’s Golf Team will be back in action on October 26th & 27th as they travel to Fort Myers, FL to play in the FIU/Pat Bradley Invitational at Pelican Preserve Golf Club.

Pictured left to right: Coach Laura Brown, Ericka Schneider, Jennifer Gartin, Amy West, Barbara Malone, Mitsuki Katahira

September 28, 2009-The Lady Falcon’s Women’s Golf Team started the 2009 season with an impressive win at the 2009 Lady Falcon Invitational held at LPGA International Golf Club in Daytona Beach, FL.  Daytona State College hosted the 70 player field which included 12 teams.  The Lady Falcons entered the 2nd round 7 strokes behind 1st round leader Florida Southern College.  The Lady Falcons shot a 301 in the 2nd round to win the event by 9 strokes.  The field was made up of 5 NCAA DII teams, 4 NJCAA teams, 2 NAIA teams, and 1 NCAA DI team. 

Freshman Mitsuki Katahira (Japan), Amy West (Valrico, FL), Ericka Schneider (Bradenton,FL), and Jennifer Gartin (Port St. Lucie) all finished in the top ten to lead the Lady Falcons to victory.  Mitsuki Katahira also captured individual honors by 1 stroke after shooting scores of 74-74.  Amy West finished in a tie for 4th with scores of 76-74, Ericka Schneider finished 7th with scores of 75-77, and Jennifer Gartin finished in a tie for 10th with scores of 78-76.

Other scores for the Lady Falcons included Barbara Malone (West Palm Beach, FL) 79-80, Ashley Mooney (Port St. Lucie) 78-82, Edwina Gold (United Kingdom) 81-80, Lauren Benetti (Celebration, FL) 84-79, and Cassie Cleary (Punta Gorda, FL) 87-84.   

For complete scores go to http://www.DaytonaState.edu/golf.  The Lady Falcons will be back in action on October 5th & 6th at the USF/Waterlefe Invitational in Bradenton, FL.

Pictured left to right: Barbara Malone, Ericka Schneider, Mitsuki Katahira, Coach Laura Brown, Jennifer Gartin, Amy West

Summer 2009-The Daytona State Lady Falcon Golf Team is once again the, 2008-2009 FCCAA Women's Academic Team of the Year for the third year in a row.  They also took 2nd place nationally with a 3.57 GPA.  Congratulations!