Brooks makes history, Gators take home Cougar Classic Title

Monday, September 10

Charleston, SC

All Day

Florida Gators

Cougar Classic

Gators pose with championship hardware after winning Cougar Classic

Brooks makes history, Gators take home Cougar Classic Title

Monday, September 10, 2018 | Women's Golf

By: Lucy Berres

Hanahan, SC. – After the final round of the Cougar Classic was cancelled due to Hurricane Florence, Florida women's golf took home their first title of the season after leading almost the entire tournament. This is the third time in the 15 years of the Cougar Classic the Gators have won the event.

Junior Sierra Brooks takes home her first title of the season, finishing with an astounding -17 score of 127 and a full seven strokes ahead of the next player. Eight birdies and an eagle in her final 18 secured the win, after leading the majority of the tournament. Four of her eight birdies came in a row in her last nine holes. Her final-round score of 62 marks the lowest round in tournament history and she is the fourth-ever Florida player to win the individual title.

Freshman Clara Manzalini finished her first college outing T3 after shooting an -8, 136 on the weekend. Four birdies on her first nine and one birdie on her last nine helped her move up two spots, after sitting T5 at the end of the first round.

Sophomore Addie Baggarly and junior Marta Perez both finished inside the top 25, with Baggarly coming in at T15 and Perez finishing T24. Baggarly moved up 10 spots from the first round with a final-round score of 68.

Coach's Take
"Really a couple of fun days. We know the talent is there with this group but you still have to put it together, you still have to compete. And they did that this week. They prepared well, they had a good plan and obviously executed. Today was a special day, 20 under is incredible. I'm so glad for them to have this experience, to see their potential," – head coach Emily Glaser

On Brooks' performance
"Sierra made a statement this week. She has been vocal about how excited she is to compete this year and how she wants to lead our team. This week she walked the walk. She's a great teammate, she works incredibly hard, I'm so happy to see her not only get the win but to play some fantastic golf."

On Manzalini's debut
"To get to 30 under in two days is a huge team effort. A huge contribution from Clara this week, she is so athletic and talented and has brought an awesome energy to the team."

Sierra Brooks on winning her first title of the season
"This has been such a special week with my teammates and coaches. It's exciting to start the year off on a positive note and means even more to start the season with a team and individual win. It's going to be a fun year!"

Final Scores
Team
1            Florida                                   546 (-30)
2              Vanderbilt                           549 (-27)
3              Arkansas                              560 (-16)
4              Furman                                 565 (-11)
5              Florida State                       568 (-8)
6              Wake Forest                       571 (-5)
7              C. of Charleston                573 (-3)
8              Baylor                                   577 (+1)
9              North Carolina                   580 (+4)
10           Tennessee                          581 (+5)
T11         UCF                                        584 (+8)
T11         Penn State                          584 (+8)
T11         N.C. State                            584 (+8)
14           Maryland                             590 (+14)
15           Indiana                                 591 (+15)
16           Boston College                  596 (+20)
17           LSU                                        599 (+23)
18           Georgetown                      606 (+30)
19           Charleston So.                   627 (+51)

Florida Players
Sierra Brooks                     1              127 (-17)
Clara Manzalini                 T3           136 (-8)
Addie Baggarly                 T15         140 (-4)
Marta Perez                       T24         143 (-1)
Jenny Kim                            T88         155 (+11)

Also competing
Lauren Waidner                 T72         151 (+9)

Next Up
The Gators will continue their fall season next weekend at the Mary Fossum Invitational, hosted by Michigan State, September 15-16. The tournament will begin at 8:30 Saturday morning with live scoring available via Golfstat.com. A recap will be posted following each round and at the conclusion of the tournament.