Nov. 3, 2009

GULF SHORES, Ala. - The Samford University women's golf team completed its 2009 fall schedule on Tuesday as the Bulldogs rallied for a second-place finish at the UAB Fall Beach Blast held at The Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club. The finish was Samford's third-consecutive, top-five placement of the season.

"I'm very proud of how our team played this week," said Samford head coach Woodie Eubanks. "We had a really good fall season and we're looking forward to the spring schedule. I know that we have a lot of talent on this squad and I'm excited to see how good we can be if we continue to improve and get better each time out."

Samford was paced at the 2009 UAB Fall Beach Blast by senior Sara Hunt. Hunt, the Bulldogs' native of Columbia, Tenn., fired a team-best 72 on Tuesday and finished tied for second place in the individual standings. She concluded the 36-hole tournament with a score of 147, after opening the competition with a 75 on Monday.

"Sara really had a great tournament," Eubanks said. "She turned in an outstanding score today and played very well. I'm proud of how she finished and she had a really good fall season."

As a team, Samford carded a two-round score of 605 (301-304) and finished second in the 12-team field. The Bulldogs only trailed first-place Memphis by 10 strokes in the two-day competition held at the Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club in Gulf Shores, Ala.

Senior Katelyn Stanier earned her fourth-consecutive, top-10 finish Tuesday as she concluded the tournament in a two-way tie for sixth place. The Bulldogs' native of Newnan, Ga., finished with a 36-hole score of 149 (73-76).

Samford's Sarah Butts earned a top-20 finish and true freshman Anna Heim placed 26th. Butts tallied a two-day mark of 154 (76-78), while Heim fired a 155 (77-78). The Bulldogs' Heather Arnold also finished with a solid score Tuesday. Samford's junior native of Lenior City, Tenn., carded a 157 (78-79).