COMPLETE RESULTS
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Junior Kennedy Gooding (Lexington, S.C.) and the Anderson University women's golf team rewrote the record book as they broke every mark on file as the team picked up an overall first-place finish at the LeeAnn Noble Memorial Tournament hosted by the University of North Georgia at Achasta Golf Club. Gooding finished in second place in the field.
As a team the Trojans set a new 18-hole record by four strokes at 271, a new 36-hole mark by 14 strokes, and a new 54-hole mark by 19 strokes on their way to picking up their third-straight win at the event.
"In my eight years at Anderson, this is one of the more special weeks I can remember," commented director of golf Denton Moore. "The squad was locked in from start to finish. We made 62 birdies, 2 eagles and we never let off the gas pedal. It all lead to the best tournament in program history. Shooting 27 under was almost unreal to me out there. I felt like every time I turned around someone was making another birdie. I am so proud of this team this week, it's honestly hard to put into words."
Gooding posted the best round in program history in the second round of the week as she carded a seven-under 65, bettering her own mark that she set twice in 2023 at both the SAC Championships and the Low Tide Intercollegiate. In addition, her second and third round scores together combined for the lowest 36-hole score in history at 133, again breaking her own record from the 2023 Low Tide Intercollegiate. Finally, Gooding bettered her mark from that same event for the lowest 54-hole total as well, firing a 202 on the week.
"KG broke every record we have as an individual. She broke the single round record in the second round and broke her own 54-hole record by shooting 14 under. She was locked in for the entire tournament."
Junior Paige Paolucci (Blythewood, S.C.) took home a sixth-place finish in the field on the week, firing rounds of 72-69-70 to finish five under in the tournament. Her tournament total was the sixth best in program history. Seniors Kennedy McGaha (Honea Path, S.C.) and Zoey Iglesias (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) posted the eighth best tournament scores in history as they finished tied for eighth in the field. McGaha carded rounds of 72-68-72 while Iglesias recorded rounds of 73-69-70.
"KMac, Zoey and Paige were all incredible as well. They all finished top 10. Paige was outstanding on the greens and made a ton of birdies. KMac didn't have her A game, but she got up and down a ton, and grinded so hard all tournament. This was Zoey's best tournament in her career here. She made a ton of birdies and did an outstanding job of staying in the moment each round."
Junior Aly Francis (Stockbridge, Ga.) wrapped up the counting scorers for the Trojans on the week as she turned in a five over 221 in the tournament, finishing tied for 29th in the field. She posted rounds of 74-73-74, staying consistent throughout. Freshman Peyton O'Brien (Salem, S.C.) competed individually for the Black and Gold this week and finished tied for 77th.
"Aly was rock solid all week. She kept us in it and leading all tournament long. I was also very excited to get Peyton here as an individual. She got a ton of experience here this week. She had a solid second round. This kind of exposure is only going to help her grow her game and get better."
In addition to re-writing the Anderson record books, the Trojans were also able to re-write the record books for the event as they broke the record for best 54-hole score and best single team round with their 17 under performance in the second round.
"I am so proud of this crew. We are going to get home and Austin and I will be giving them a much deserved few days off for fall break. We will get them back on Sunday and get back to work. We will head to Tampa, Fla. in a couple of weeks if this incoming hurricane doesn't affect the tournament. I love this crew, Go Trojans!"
That event is the Saint Leo Fall Invitational taking place at Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club, slated for October 21-22.
