PALM HARBOR, Fla. — Southeastern University women's golf finished runner-up at the Invite at Innisbrook, closing the three-round tournament at 28-over 880 at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club.
The Fire opened the tournament with back-to-back rounds of 296 (+12) before putting together their best round of the tournament on Tuesday, carding a four-over 288 to finish at +28. Dalton State claimed the team title at +18, while SEU finished 10 strokes ahead of third-place Truett McConnell at +72.
SEU placed four golfers inside the top 12, with all five members of its lineup finishing inside the top 17.
Sadaly Campbell led the way for the Fire, finishing third individually at one-over 214. Campbell opened with a 73 (+2) before settling into an even-par 71 in the second round. She then posted the lowest round of the tournament for SEU, firing a one-under 70 in the final round to move into third. She finished the tournament with six birdies.
Elisa Sembenini followed with a sixth-place finish at nine-over 222. After opening with a 73 (+2), Sembenini posted a 75 (+4) in the second round before closing with a 74 (+3). She recorded six birdies during the tournament, including one on the 17th hole in the final round.
Emma Tobias tied for ninth at 12-over 225, putting together rounds of 73, 74 and 78. Tobias began the tournament with two consecutive rounds in the low 70s and recorded three birdies across the three rounds.
Rivers Common finished tied for 12th at 13-over 226. Common posted rounds of 77 and 78 before making her biggest move of the tournament in the final round, firing an even-par 71 to improve by seven strokes. She finished with four birdies, including two in the final round.
Abbey Peterson rounded out the Fire lineup in 17th at 15-over 228. Peterson steadily improved throughout the tournament, dropping from a 79 in the opening round to a 76 in the second before finishing with a 73 on Tuesday. She recorded one birdie during the tournament.
Competing as an individual,
Ava Bustos finished at 21-over 234 with rounds of 74, 75 and 85. She recorded six birdies throughout the tournament.
The Fire's depth proved important throughout the tournament, with four golfers finishing inside the top 12 and all five inside the top 17. SEU entered the final round at +24 before its 288 (+4) final round moved the Fire to +28 for the tournament.
The runner-up finish gives SEU another strong result early in the fall season after the Fire opened the year with a victory at the Coastal Georgia Invite.
The Fire will return to action Oct. 5-6 at the NAIA National Championship Fall Preview in Dalton, Georgia.
