Milligan University’s women’s golf team came out on top at the Appalachian Athletic Conference fall championships. The event took place on the Chateau course at the Chateau Elan Resort in Braselton, Georgia on Oct. 19-20.
The team clinched the win with a 16 stroke lead according to Milligan’s athletic website.
Their success came from all six participating players placing in the top 25, with Michaela Lindahl, a sophomore, earning first place.
“I was very happy with our team’s and my individual finish last weekend. I honestly did not expect my own scores to carry me all the way to a conference win,” said Lindahl.
Lindahl overcame spending two and a half weeks of the season in quarantine and rebuilding her game to claim the top finish with a total score of 154.
“I always do my best and even though I wasn’t in as good condition as I wished to be, I’m proud that I still managed to perform out there,” said Lindahl.
On top of Lindahl’s success, the remaining five women gave strong performances as well.
Alayna Perryman came in second (157) , with Meryl Castle (162) close behind in seventh. Emma Brown (163) was eighth while freshman Gabby Hammond (164), who competed individually, not as part of the team, came in ninth and Nellie Berguld (170) placed fifteenth.
“Every girl on [the] team has put in a lot of time and effort this semester,” said Perryman. “The course we played was very challenging so to rank well felt good.”
Castle also credited the team’s efforts for their quality results..
“Being ranked 7th and being the AAC champions is something our team has worked really hard for and I think it’s safe to say everyone is proud of the hard work we’ve put in to get there,” Castle said.
While the team is happy with their win, Lindahl, Perryman and Castle all recognize the importance of continuing the hard work and making improvements as they hope for similar results in the spring season.
Coach Tony Wallingford pointed to the team’s short game as the area to improve according to the Milligan athletic website.
Milligan women’s golf will finish out their fall season with the Jekyll Island Intercollegiate in Georgia on Monday and Tuesday.
Men’s golf will also travel to Georgia to round out their season with the Sea Island Intercollegiate on Monday and Tuesday after placing seventh in the AAC fall championship.
Headline photo: Alayna Perryman, courtesy of the Milligan athletic website.