MELBOURNE, Fla. — For the second time in program history, the Virginia Tech women's golf team found itself at the top of the team standings after battling tough conditions to win the Columbia Classic presented by Moon Golf. The two-day, 54-hole event, which concluded Monday, was contested at Duran Golf Club (par 72, 6,357 yards) in Melbourne, Florida.
Although it was the second time the Hokies clinched at least a share of the team title, it was the first outright team title in program history. Tech tied LSU for first place at the 2019 Princess Anne Invitational in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
The Hokies, ranked 26th by Golfstat, defeated No. 30 Texas Tech, No. 2 Oklahoma State, No. 29 Illinois and No. 28 Georgia for the team title. Led by junior Becca DiNunzio's even-par 216, Tech edged the Red Raiders by one shot. The Hokies finished at 880 (289-293-298), while Texas Tech tallied an 881 (289-291-301) to secure second place.
Perhaps the highlight of the tournament went to Emily Mahar, who aced the par-3 seventh hole during Sunday's second round to put the finishing touch on a 3-under 141 through 36 holes. Ironically, her hole-in-one was the last shot of the day as the par-3 seventh hole was her 36th hole of the day. It was her first career hole-in-one.
Mahar took the overnight lead into Monday's final round, but a 4-over 76 dropped her into a tie for fourth at 1-over 217. It was Mahar's second top-five of the season.
DiNunzio recorded her best finish as a Hokie, earning a runner-up showing at even-par 216. She tallied four birdies in her final round alone.
Symone Henriques notched her first career top-10 as a Tech women's golfer. The junior signed for a 5-over 221 to tie for 10th. Keerattriya Foocharoen (227) and Ginnie Lee (238) tied for 24th and 57th, respectively.
Oklahoma State's Isabella Fierro won the individual race behind a 2-under 214 (70-72-72), two strokes clear of DiNunzio.
Tech returns to the Sunshine State, Feb. 25-27, at the Florida State Matchup hosted by FSU at Seminole Legacy Golf Club in Tallahassee, Florida.
