KEWADIN, Mich. – The Bradley Women's Golf team began the 2024-25 season on a high note, winning the Individual and Team titles in the season-opening A-Ga-Ming Invitational, hosted by Central Michigan, in Kewadin, Michigan.
Caroline McConnell won the Individual Championship in her first tournament as a Brave, prevailing over Central Michigan's Ella Zanatta after the two golfers endured five playoff holes after both ended the 54-hole tournament tied at six strokes over par.
McConnell's Individual Championship makes her one of five Braves ever to win a title in their first season on the Hilltop, the first to do so since Danielle Lemek in the 2012-13 season. She is also the second Brave ever to win their first meet as a Brave and the first since Jil Swenson won the season-opening Redbird Invitational in 2000.
"Caroline was impressive from start to finish this week," said
Halley Morell, Bradley Women's Golf Head Coach. "54 holes was not enough to decide the winner. Caroline went out and battled a great competitor for five extra holes, making two birdies in route to her first win as a Brave. I can't wait to see what else she can accomplish."
Bradley, Bowling Green and Central Michigan closely competed for the team title throughout the entire tournament as the three teams shuffled through the top three positions. With Bradley trailing Bowling Green by five strokes entering play on Monday, the team shot a 295, just seven strokes over par and six strokes lower than any team scored in any round across all rounds.
In total, five of the six Bradley-affiliated golfers placed in the top 21.
Jillian Cosler finished tied for fifth in the tournament after shooting +1 on the final day and
Allison Pacocha tied a career-best round score of 70 in round three to vault herself to a joint-seventh-place finish.
Maria Perakis, registered as an individual, also finished tied for seventh place.
Kathryn McNease finished just outside of the top 20, tied for 21st.
"We could not have asked for a better start to the year," said Coach Morell. "The team battled some very windy conditions the first day and went out and earned the win today. Truly it was a total team effort and we can't wait to defend our title at ISU next weekend."
BRADLEY INDIVIDUAL SCORES
(Place-Athlete-Score Relative to Par)
1st -
Caroline McConnell - +6 (72-77-73)
T5 -
Jillian Cosler - +11 (79-75-73)
T7 -
Allison Pacocha - +12 (79-79-70)
T21 -
Kathryn McNease - +18 (76-78-80)
T52 -
Peyton Coburn - +28 (83-82-79)
T7 -
Maria Perakis - +12 (77-77-74) - registered as Individual
COMING UP...
The Braves look travel to Illinois State for the Redbird Invitational as the team looks to defend their 2023 Redbird Invitational title.
