Gibson Captures Title at Newberry College Invitational
HILTON HEAD, S.C. - Junior Emily Gibson (Toronto, Ontario/North Toronto Collegiate) picked up her second tournament win since last season. Gibson who tied for the tournament title at the Ann Rhoads ‘Southern Shootout last season has captured her first out-right title this season as she finished four strokes better than any other competitor at the Newberry College Invitational. This is Gibson's third tournament of the 2009-10 season and third top-10 finish. The Falcons as a team picked up their best finish of the season as they came in eighth in a tournament of 16 teams.
"This was the first tournament of the year and we are still hurt and banged up," said head coach Justin Pratt. "So to come away with an individual champion who hasn't played in weeks because of an emergency appendectomy and a player in the top 10 who has been out sick it was a great way to start the year. Emily (Gibson) and Emma (Breen) played great golf all tournament long on a very tough course in difficult conditions."
The Falcons second finisher was sophomore Emma Breen (Swindon, England/Kingsdown) who picked up her first top-10 finish of the season as she tied for seventh overall. Gibson was the only competitor to shoot below an 80 and she did it in both rounds. Her two round score of 157 was four strokes better than the second place finisher.
UM finished ahead of Peach Belt Conference competitor Columbus State University and just four strokes behind seventh place finisher Florida Tech.
The Falcon line-up was rounded out by junior Heather Mutton (Dunstable, England/Queensbury Upper) and freshman Kayla Witt (Gardendale, Ala./Gardendale) who finished 58th and 68th, respectively.
The Falcons will return to action at the Birmingham Southern Ann Rhoads Invitational on Feb. 22-23. The tournament will take place at Timberline in Calera, Ala.
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