OWENS CROSSROADS, Ala.— Playing at the same course that will host the ASUN Conference Championship later this spring, the Bellarmine women's golf team has some positive takeaways after finishing eighth in the 11-team field at the Highlands course of the RTJ at Hampton Grove.
 
The Knights turned in a highly competitive opening round of 301 led by a one-under round of 71 turned in by Alaina Schmitt.  The 71 eclipsed her previous collegiate-low round by a stroke and marked the first time Schmitt has broken par in an official college round.
 
Hosted by Samford University on Monday and Tuesday, the tournament featured a 1-2-3 finish by teams from the ASUN.  Lipscomb took the team title with North Alabama in second and Austin Peay tying Belmont for third.
 
Medalist honors were shared by Casilda Allendesalazar of Central Michigan and Jacqueline Klemm of North Alabama, who both completed the 54 holes in even par at 216.
 
Schmitt was the top finisher for the Knights, tying for 12th  in the 64-player field. The Louisville senior closed with a pair of 75s after her opening 71 to finish at 221 (+5).
 
Lipscomb transfer Piper Davis played well in her Bellarmine debut, finishing second on the team with a 234 aggregate score.  The freshman from Thompson's Station, Tennessee opened with an 81 then took three strokes off each successive round finishing with a 78 and 75.
 
Another bright spot for Bellarmine Coach Art Henry were sub-80 rounds posted by all six players who competed. In addition to Schmitt and Davis, top single-round scores for other Bellarmine players included: Josephine Bonin, 75; Matti Spalding, 76; Jessica Stephens, 77; and Elizabeth Duncan, 78.
 
The Knights return to action on Sunday at the three-day, 54-hole Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate hosted by Tennessee Tech at Sevierville Country Club.  Interestingly, the Sevierville layout is also known as the "Highlands Course."
 
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3/6-7/2023 -- Huntsville.org Intercollegiate
Highlands Course - RTJ at Hampton Cove -- Owens Crossroads, AL
Par 72, 6039 yards -- 11 teams, 64 players

Bellarmine	301	318	313	932	+68	8th
Alaina Schmitt	71	75	75	221	+5	t-12th
Piper Davis	81	78	75	234	+18	t-41st
Josephine Bonin	75	82	83	240	+24	t-48th
Elizabeth Duncan	79	83	78	240	+24	t-48th
Jessica Stephens#	81	84	77	242	+26	52nd
Matti Spalding	76	85	87	248	+32	58th

# Indicates individual player

FINAL RESULTS (PDF)

GOLFSTAT TOURNAMENT WEBPAGE