Owls Save Best Round for Last at FAU Paradise Invitational

Monday, February 8

Boca Raton, Fla.

All Day

Florida Atlantic

FAU Paradise Invitational at Boca Lago C.C.

2/9/2021 3:05:00 PM | Women's Golf

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University women's golf team finished sixth at the FAU Paradise Invitational, its first tournament in 11 months. It saved its best round for last, a 291, to elevate from a seventh-place position after day one.

Justine Fournand became the Owls' top scorer by shooting a 217, including a third-round 70, finishing 12th. Arielle Keating, who shot a first-round 69, finished one stroke behind Fournand (218) to tie for 13th.

"I think today was great," FAU coach Aimee Neff said. "We had the third-lowest round of the day at 3-over-par. Justine played pretty near flawless golf with 16 pars and two birdies, so a clean scorecard. I think just as a team we've gotten better."

Over the last two days, the Owls (292, 300, 291) hosted the FAU Paradise Invitational at the Boca Lago Country Club. Thirteen teams competed, included the No. 13-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores. Michigan State (858) took first as a team, and Maryland's Virunpat Olankitkunchai (205) placed first individually.

The other Owls contributing to the team total were Rosa Barnak (T29, 223), Blanka Decker (T36, 226) and Amanda Leslie (57th, 236). Individuals Olivia Bergner (233), Kacey Walker (236) and Kim Egozi (246) tied for 52nd, 58th and 63rd, respectively.

Through Monday's first two rounds, the Owls were seventh with a 592. Keating (T11, 144) and Justine Fournand (T22, 147) led the way with top-25 showings at that time.

Course conditions improved dramatically from Monday to Tuesday, as the former were rainy and the latter sunny. Neff saw a similarly positive progression from her players.

"All in all, I was really impressed with Arielle Keating yesterday with her 69," Neff said. "And Blanka Decker, she's shown a lot of improvement from where we started a couple weeks ago to now, finishing with that 74."

FAU will next appear at the Mercer-hosted Reynolds Lake Oconee Invitational. The tournament runs Feb. 19-21 and will be held in Eatonton, Georgia.

"We're looking forward to playing next week in Georgia," Neff said. "And again, we picked up some good strokes on the field today, and I'm really thankful to have this first tournament under our belt."

For complete coverage of FAU women's golf, follow the team on Twitter (@FAUWGolf), Instagram (@FAUWGolf) and Facebook (FAU Women's Golf).