JACKSONVILLE, N.C. - The Bridgewater College women's golf team had a memorable week as senior Sophia Martone scored a strong 68 at the Camp Lejeune Intercollegiate, which tied her own record for lowest score in program history.

Martone started the day one shot back but won by four shots for her third medal of the season and sixth of her career. The senior created some momentum early after a birdie on her first hole. She then had a huge run of seven birdies in 11 holes yesterday and started a similar run when she drove the green on the par 4 10th hole and did it again on the 15th, running off four birdies in six holes. The 68 (-3) score for the tournament is the lowest three-day total in Bridgewater history (men or women).

Camp Lejeune Intercollegiate features a best ball tournament format with amateurs. On top of the excitement of another collegiate win, Martone paired with a Virginia Wesleyan player and Retired Sargent Major Robert Nowlin, coming away with a win in the best ball tournament on the scarlet course.

Martone said, "I was fortunate to be paired with Sargent Major Nowlin, an outstanding playing partner and person. This tournament brought me a connection for life, and I'm actually playing in another tournament with him after I graduate. He even came back out to support me while I won today." She really wanted this win having finished second at Camp Lejeune her sophomore year and she credited the development of her mental game for the victory today. "I'm proud of what I did. To finish under par for 3 days is a major accomplishment."
 
Quietly, Hannah Rizzo also had an impressive week. She posted three solid scores of 75, 79, 74 to finish T-9. Rizzo has had a breakout season with 4 top 10s in 7 events this season. Rizzo wasn't pleased with her tee balls but managed to hit some greens and make some putts. In the best ball tournament she played with a Virginia Wesleyan player and her father, to finish second, one shot behind Martone's team. 
 
Emily Price also had a memorable weekend. She had the best three day total of her career(83+83+80=246) and in the best ball she played with a Virginia Wesleyan player and her father coming in third which meant a clean sweep of the awards for Bridgewater players. She said she managed her game and her putting well and was pleased with the result.
 
Evelyn Hunter and Brooke Tyler rounded out the team score both shooting 84. Hunter also had her best three day total of her career shooting (85,84,84=253). She wasn't thrilled with her tee shots today but was very pleased with her shots between 30 and 80 yards. Tyler improved every round (90,86,84=260). She closed out the final day with having only one big number of double bogey.
 
The team score improved all three days culminating in 306, which tied the third best team score in program history back when they won at Pipestem in 2023. The Eagles improved over last years performance by 24 strokes and finished 4th out of 10 teams.
 
"There are a lot of things to celebrate about this tournament from scoring records, Sophia winning again, our ladies taking all three prizes in the best ball tournament, and an excellent team performance top to bottom," said wome's golf head coach John Rogers. "This event also offers unique experiences like playing with military veterans and spending a few days on a military base, which is a very different experience for most of our athletes."
 
Next up, the Eagles are back in action for the VSGA Intercollegiate next week.