ECU Set To Host Easter Invitational

Live Scoring | ECU Tournament Record Book

GREENVILLE, N.C. – The East Carolina women's golf team will host the 2021 ECU Easter Invitational this weekend starting Saturday, April 3. The two-day, 54-hole event will be played at the par-72, 6,188-yard Ironwood Country Club in Greenville, N.C.

The Pirates (26-22) have participated in four events this spring and claimed their second title under head coach CC Buford at the River Landing Classic finishing four strokes ahead of Coastal Carolina. Buford's first win came in the fall of 2019 at the Pirate Collegiate Classic on Sept. 24. The senior duo of Dorthea Forbrigd (74.58) and Michelle Forsland (74.67) along with junior Julie Boysen Hillestad (74.83) rank among the top three in stroke average for the Pirates.

Forbrigd has recorded three top 21 finishes in her four outings including a share of sixth place at the Palmetto Intercollegiate with a 7-over par 223 marking her 15th career Top 10 finish. Forsland, a transfer from Oklahoma State, has three Top 25 finishes at East Carolina which includes a share of 20th at the Palmetto Intercollegiate (228/12-over) and a tie for 11th at River Landing (215/1-under).

Hillestad, who transferred from Presbyterian College, has also recorded three Top 25 placements including a team-best third at River Landing with a 9-under par 207. Her 36-hole score of 134 was an event record, while her 54-hole score of 207 is tied for second all-time at ECU and her opening round of 65 tied three others, including teammate Forbrigd for the lowest round in the Pirate annuals.

No. 69 ECU will be joined in the 10-team field by (No. 77) Augusta, (No. 81) Campbell, Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina, (No. 57) College of Charleston, High Point, James Madison, UNC Greensboro and Western Carolina.

Buford will use a lineup consisting of Hillestad, Forsland, sophomore Caroline Hermes, senior Kathryn Carson and sophomore Oda Sofie Kilsti.

Hermes, who will be participating in her fourth event of the season, owns an 83.33 stroke average, while Carson carries a 77.17 average. Carson recorded her best finish of the year at the River Landing Classic with a share of 21st place after posting a three-over par 219 (76-74-69). Kilsti will appear in her fourth event sporting a 76.11 stroke average which includes a one-under par 215 (71-71-73) score for a share of 11th at River Landing.

Hermes will carry the honorary Major Mikeal Murray bag for this event. The Pirates are participating in the Folds of Honor Tribute Program where the players rotate in carrying the bag from tournament to tournament. Once the golf season ends, the bag will be auctioned off and all proceeds will go towards Folds of Honor scholarships.

The tournament begins with 36 holes Saturday (8:45 a.m. EDT) followed by 18 holes on Sunday at 8:15 a.m. Pirate fans can get updated scoring throughout the event by logging on to www.GolfStat.com.

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Players Mentioned

Kathryn Carson

Dorthea Forbrigd

Michelle Forsland

Caroline Hermes

Julie Boysen Hillestad

Oda Sofie Kilsti

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