Lady Flyers Ahing, Ray and Foley Top the Field at NJCAA Women's Golf Championship

Competing as individuals, Sandhills Community College sophomores Trinity Ahing, Ava Ray and Scotty Foley took the first three places at the NJCAA Division III Women's Golf Championship that was completed in Chautauqua, NY on Friday.

In the second year of the four-day, 72-hole Division III women's tournament, the Lady Flyers led by Coach Herb Pike did not have the required four players to compete as a team.  One of only two teams, Oxford College of Emory (GA) won the team title over RCSJ-Gloucester (NJ).

Ahing, a transfer from Western Carolina, earned medalist honors in the field of 17 players with a 4-over par total of 74-73-75-78- 300.  Ray, a Fuquay Varina High School grad, finished second by four strokes after posting scores of 79-76-72-77-304.

Foley, the individual champion on the same course a year ago, posted scores of 80-76-78-77-311.

Birdies were in abundance for the trio led by Ahing with a total of 15 followed by Ray with 14 and Foley with 11.  The Lady Flyers were a combined 21-under par for the four days on the par fives.

Including other spring tournaments, Ahing earned medalist honors for the fourth time this season.

"Trinity is determined and she expects to do well," Pike said by phone afterward. "She works hard and has an overall good game."

Playing their best golf of the season, 11 of the Lady Flyers' total of 12 rounds over the four days produced scores in the 70's.  They each earned first team NJCAA All-American honors for their achievements.

"It was one of the happiest days of my life watching these girls," Pike said. "It was not an easy golf course with the wind and the rain and some tough pins.

"These are three wonderful girls and they deserve everything they earned this week."

The team is expecting to arrive back at the college late Saturday afternoon.  On a good week for Sandhills athletics, the Flyer men won their third national title in a row on the same golf course. 

Team standings – 1. Oxford College of Emory 393-381-390-382-1,546, 2. RCSJ Gloucester 420-407-427-431-1,685.

Individual leaders  – 1. Ahing (SCC) 74-73-75-78-300, 2. Ray (SCC) 79-76-72-77-304, 3. Foley (SCC) 80-76-78-77-311, 4. Ellia Soydara (MNCCT) 80-81-81-80-322, 5. Rayne Yelinko (CCMorris) 87-80-86-92-345.

C. Bergmann