ECU Wins Fourth-Straight Pirate Collegiate Classic

Monday, September 23

Greenville, N.C.

East Carolina University

Pirate Collegiate Classic

September 24, 2019 | Women's Golf

Final Results

Final Results

Tournament: Pirate Collegiate Classic
Location: Greenville, N.C.
Course: Greenville Country Club (Par 72, 6,132 yards)
ECU Finish: First of nine Teams (299-290-287=876, 12-over par)
Top ECU Individual: Dorthea Forbrigd (1st, 72-69-69=210, 6-under par)

GREENVILLE, N.C. – For the fourth-straight year the East Carolina women's golf team won its home tournament after posting a 54-hole score of 876 (12-over) at the 2019 Pirate Collegiate Classic. The two-day event was being played at the par 72, 6,132-yard Greenville Country Club.

"The first coaching win is emotional," said head coach CC Buford. "I think that experiencing wins as a player and as an assistant coach is a little different than getting the first as a coach. This is special because it is with this group. When I came here in the summer there were some obstacles to overcome and made it difficult to see what success here would look like. Only having five players on the roster right now presents a challenge, but to see this team overcome that with such positivity and knowing that situation where everyone wants to see each other succeed, makes it special.

"I think the team felt pressure entering the tournament because it's our course and we play it so much that we should know every shot. I think we got a little ahead of ourselves thinking we were going to play this good and when we didn't there was some disappointment. Then there was a struggle of staying patient and getting ahead of our score a little bit. I think what Robbie and I echoed to each one of them after the first round was to stay committed to the process, get over every shot and be absolutely sure you know what it's going to do. If it doesn't do what you want, you get to stand up on the next one and repeat the process."

The Pirates (21-1), who finished 14 shots ahead of UAB (890/26-over), carded rounds of 299, 290 and 287 and shot the fourth-lowest team score in the 18-year history of the event. It also marked the seventh time in program history they won the team title. Rounding out the top five were Georgia Southern (896/32-over), Jacksonville (907/43-over) and UNCG (908/44-over). American Athletic Conference member Cincinnati (917/53-over) finished in sixth place.

All five of ECU's members finished in the Top 20 with senior Dorthea Forbrigd claiming medalist honors after posting a new tournament-low score of 210 (6-under par) for her third career win. Forbrigd (72-69-69) led the 48-member field in par-3 scoring (1-under), par-5 scoring (10-under) and total birdies (14), while finishing among the leaders in eagles (t3/1), par-4 scoring (t5, 5-over) and total pars (t15/31).

"Dorthea is a rockstar," Buford added. "Coming in as the defending champion, she had high expectations in having a good tournament this week. She was very patient and laser focused throughout. The last week she changed something significant in her putting where she was able to integrate that into her game and to see a pair of 69's to end the tournament, is really special."

Freshman Caroline Hermes (76-72-72) registered her first career Top 5 finish after posting a 4-over par 220 for sole possession of fourth place. The Welzheim, Germany native tallied eight birdies, 34 pars and finished tied for second in par-4 scoring (4.17). Senior Siranon Shoomee posted her second-straight Top 11 placement after rounds of 78, 73 and 73 for a 54-hole score of 224 (8-over). She finished among the tournament leaders with nine birdies and 31 pars, while also standing eight in par-4 scoring (6-over) and 11th in par-5 scoring (3-over).

Rounding out the Pirates roster were senior Grace Yatawara (t15/226) and junior Kathryn Carson (t19/229). Yatawara, who shared the individual lead with a pair of eagles, fired rounds of 77, 76 and 73 (10-over) for her third career Top 15 finish. Carson earned her 10th career Top 20 finish after her rounds of 74, 79 and 76 for a share of 19th place.

The Pirates will return to action on Friday, Oct. 4 when they travel to Norfolk, Va. to participate in the Princess Anne Invitational. The three-day, 54-hole tournament will be played at the Princess Anne Country Club.