Golf Places Third at AAC Qualifier; Mangal Named All-Conference
The Brenau golf team placed third at the 2018 NAIA AAC Women's Direct Qualifier, hosted by the Tega Cay Golf Club in Tega Cay, S.C. this week.
In a rain-shortened 27-hole tournament, the #25 Golden Tigers posted a team score of 338-167—505 (+73) team score to finish ahead of Truett-McConnell College.
Sara Jane Bowers capped off her career as a Golden Tiger with a two-day score of 125, which tied her for 12th place overall, while sophomore Niquole Mangal finished one shot behind with a 126 to tie her for 16th place. Fellow sophomore Ashley Omidi posted a 128 (T20), while Megan Reddick (132/T29) and Macie Hurst (135/T32) rounded out the Brenau scorers.
SCAD Atlanta won the tournament with a score of 484 (+52), while Milligan College (+55) placed second. Truett McConnell placed fourth, while Tennessee Welseyan (+82) rounded out the top five scores.
Individually, SCAD-Atlanta's Rachel Vasandani received low medalist honors with a 74-36—110 (+2) through 27 holes.
"I'm very proud of this team," said head coach Damon Stancil. "We had our ups and downs, but overall it was a very productive year. Our returning players will keep the squad strong and our freshman have tons of potential to help the team be even better next year."
In postseason awards, Mangal received 2017-18 AAC Second-Team All-Conference honors for her performance this season, as selected by the conference coaches. The Sugar Hill, Ga. sophomore won AAC Player of the Week honors for the week of April 2, and posted three top-ten finishes in her inaugural season as a Golden Tiger.
Mangal, Bowers, Omidi and Reddick also join teammate LaKese Brown in receiving AAC All-Academic honors. Students honored must maintain a minimum of a 3.25 grade point average and achieve sophomore status.
"Our two graduating seniors- SJ (Sara Jane) and LaKese-have played such a huge role in the growth of this program and they've definitely left their mark here at Brenau," said Stancil. "They will be missed, but I know the next chapters in their lives will be filled with success."