Clemson Finishes 9th at Mason Rudolph Championship

Clemson, S.C.—Alice Hewson and Ana Paula Valdes both made birdies on their last two holes to shoot two-under-par scores of 70 and lead Clemson to a 290 team score and ninth-place finish at the 15-team Mason Rudolph Championship at the Vanderbilt Legends Course in Franklin, Tenn.  

It was the season opening tournament for Kelley Hester’s team that was playing without two-year starter Sydney Legacy, who is recovering from a wrist surgery.

Hewson finished eighth in the field of 81 golfers with a 210 score for her three round scores of 74-66-70. It was her 10th career top 10 finish. Her second round 66 tied for the second best score and score vs. par in Clemson history. She finished the tournament with a Clemson team best 13 birdies. The All-ACC golfer led Clemson in that category last year with 111.

Valdes finished in a tie for 22nd in the field thanks to rounds of 70-73-70 for a 213 total. She made a par on 38 of her 56 holes, most on the Clemson team for the weekend. On Sunday she made a career high tying six birdies. It was a fine comeback after she doubled the first hole.

Ashley Czarnecki had the best tournament of her young career with a 220 score for the 54 holes after consistent rounds of 72-73-75. She finished 40th individually. Kennedy Swann joined Czarnecki with a three over 75 on Sunday and the Clemson sophomore finished with a 229 score.   Marisa Messana shot a 78 on Sunday and was Clemson’s non-counter. She had a two under 70 in the second round.

Clemson returns to the road next weekend at the Schooner Classic at the University of Oklahoma.

Mason Rudolph Classic

Sept. 15-17

Vanderbilt Legends Course, Franklin, Tenn

Par 72, 6,335 yards

Team Scores: Arkansas 823, 2. Alabama 828, 3. Arizona State 839, 4. Vanderbilt 842, 5. Northwestern 847, 6. South Carolina 853, 7. Auburn 857, 8. Virginia 861, 9. Clemson 867, 10. Houston 871, 11. North Carolina 873, 12. Chattanooga 882, 13. UCF 889, 14. Middle Tennessee 890, 15. Charlotte 899.

Clemson Individuals

1. Alice Hewson 74-66-70/ 210; 22. Ana Paula Valdes 70-73-70/ 213; 40. Ashley Czarnecki 73-72-75/ 220; 68. Kennedy Swann 79-75-75/ 229;   81. Marisa Messana DG-70-78/ 148