GATORS WIN MERCEDES-BENZ, GRASSEL FINISHES IN SECOND

Knoxville, Tenn. – The University of Florida women’s golf team captured the team title at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championships in Knoxville, Tenn., on Tuesday. In the final round, the Gators recorded the lowest round of the day, -4 (280).

The Orange and Blue started the day in third place behind Illinois and Kent State, and finished the tournament at -2 (850), beating the 15-team field by five stokes at the par-71 Cherokee Country Club 5,897-yard course.

Senior Kelly Grassel used a Round 3 score of -2 (69) to move up two spots to finish in second place. Grassel carded a -5 (208) for the tournament, breaking her career-low tournament total.

Sophomore Sam Wagner carded four birdies in the final round to finish the tournament tied for fifth at -1 (212). Freshman Marta Perez had a solid debut for the Orange and Blue, finishing in a tie for 16th at +3 (216).

The Gators have now accumulated 103 team titles in program history. The win was the first of the 2016-17 season and the first for UF since claiming a share of the NCAA Regional in Baton Rouge, La., in May.

Head Coach Emily Glaser:

On the Gators’ win at the first tournament of the season:

“I’m really happy for the team. They came out fighting today. We talked about playing more assertively and going after it, and they were able to do that. We had a close battle with two great teams (Illinois and Kent State), and it was fun to have that experience this early in the year. I thought Kelly, Sam and Taylor showed real improvements in their game from this time last year, and Marta showed amazing poise in her first event for the Gators.”

Senior Kelly Grassel:

On the team title and her play this week:

“I’m happy with the team finish. I putted very well this week, so that was definitely helpful to be able to take advantage of some birdie opportunities. I’m excited for the year, and I’m glad we were able to get off to a great start.”

Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship Sept. 12-13, 2016
Place	Team	1	2	3	Final
1	Florida	281	289	280	850	-2
T2	Illinois	278	285	292	855	+3
T2	Kent State	286	283	286	855	+3
4	Brigham Young	292	284	288	864	+12
T5	Tennessee	282	294	289	865	+13
T5	Maryland	285	290	290	865	+13
7	SMU	294	284	291	869	+17
8	North Carolina	296	284	292	872	+20
9	Chattanooga	295	289	290	874	+22
T10	Mississippi, U. of	290	295	294	879	+27
T10	Wake Forest	293	291	295	879	+27
12	Middle Tennessee	302	297	300	899	+47
13	UTSA	302	302	298	902	+50
14	Memphis	307	298	299	904	+52
15	Virginia Tech	310	296	308	914	+62

Final Florida Scores:
2. Kelly Grassel   -5 (208)
T5. Sam Wagner    -1 (212)
T10.  Taylor Tomlinson      +2 (215)
T16. Marta Perez +3 (216)
T51. Sydney Needham      +11 (224)