Sunday, March 9
Gadsden, AL
9:00 AM
University of Richmond
vs
Chris Banister Golf Classic
Spiders Take Top Prize at Chris Banister Golf Classic
03/11/2025 | Women's Golf
GADSDEN, Ala. — The Richmond Spiders women's golf team won the 54-hole Chris Banister Golf Classic Tuesday to secure its first win since the RiverTowne Invitational in February 2024. Richmond's third-round score of 314 (+26) at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Silver Lakes Tuesday was more than enough to move in front of runner-up and host Jacksonville State (31-over 319) after the pair entered the final round tied atop the leaderboard.
"They really grinded it out and showed a lot of grit today," said coach Calle Barlow. "We didn't play great, but it just shows that we can still get it done and stay composed even when we don't have our 'A' game."
Richmond finished at 59-over par (923), with Jacksonville State five strokes behind (+64) and Samford in third place at 70-over par. It's Richmond's fourth tournament win in six seasons under Barlow.
Four Spiders finished in the top 10 in the field of 43 players, led by sophomore Maya Beasley, who tied for third at 14-over par (230). It was Beasley's first career top-three finish and her fifth straight top-15 result dating back to last October's Evie Odom Invitational.
"I knew this team could do it," said Beasley. "We've been working so hard all year and especially these past couple months. We definitely still have some things to work on but we are continuing to get better each day!"
Junior Hannah Lydic and freshman Katie Magner tied for sixth place at 232 (+16). It's the 10th top-10 finish of Lydic's career and her first this season. Entering the event, Magner's best finish this season was a tie for 46th at the season-opening Nittany Invitational. She's the first Spiders freshman to finish in the top 10 since Beasley placed fourth at the UNCG Fall Invitational in October 2023.
Junior Olivia Wilkie carded her second straight top-10 result, placing 10th with a 17-over 233. Wilkie entered the event as the reigning Atlantic 10 Golfer of the Week following her fifth-place finish at last month's RiverTowne Invitational.
Senior Christine Mandile tied for 24th at 25-over par (241).
Three Spiders competed as individuals, with senior Lauren Jones leading that group with a 26-over 242, tied for 27th place. Freshman Caroline Thompson was three strokes back in a tie for 31st, and sophomore Heather Appelson tied for 32nd at 31-over par (247).
After not finishing in the top five in any of their first six events this season, Richmond has now placed fourth or better in two straight tournaments (tied for fourth at last month's RiverTowne Invitational).
"The team has been working really hard early in the spring. We've gotten some good rounds of golf under our belts and it was good to see them close it out today," said Barlow. "I'm really proud of the girls."
The Spiders will return to action at NC State's Lonnie Poole Golf Course next week for the NC State Stroke Play Event on March 21-22.
"They really grinded it out and showed a lot of grit today," said coach Calle Barlow. "We didn't play great, but it just shows that we can still get it done and stay composed even when we don't have our 'A' game."
Richmond finished at 59-over par (923), with Jacksonville State five strokes behind (+64) and Samford in third place at 70-over par. It's Richmond's fourth tournament win in six seasons under Barlow.
Four Spiders finished in the top 10 in the field of 43 players, led by sophomore Maya Beasley, who tied for third at 14-over par (230). It was Beasley's first career top-three finish and her fifth straight top-15 result dating back to last October's Evie Odom Invitational.
"I knew this team could do it," said Beasley. "We've been working so hard all year and especially these past couple months. We definitely still have some things to work on but we are continuing to get better each day!"
Junior Hannah Lydic and freshman Katie Magner tied for sixth place at 232 (+16). It's the 10th top-10 finish of Lydic's career and her first this season. Entering the event, Magner's best finish this season was a tie for 46th at the season-opening Nittany Invitational. She's the first Spiders freshman to finish in the top 10 since Beasley placed fourth at the UNCG Fall Invitational in October 2023.
Junior Olivia Wilkie carded her second straight top-10 result, placing 10th with a 17-over 233. Wilkie entered the event as the reigning Atlantic 10 Golfer of the Week following her fifth-place finish at last month's RiverTowne Invitational.
Senior Christine Mandile tied for 24th at 25-over par (241).
Three Spiders competed as individuals, with senior Lauren Jones leading that group with a 26-over 242, tied for 27th place. Freshman Caroline Thompson was three strokes back in a tie for 31st, and sophomore Heather Appelson tied for 32nd at 31-over par (247).
After not finishing in the top five in any of their first six events this season, Richmond has now placed fourth or better in two straight tournaments (tied for fourth at last month's RiverTowne Invitational).
"The team has been working really hard early in the spring. We've gotten some good rounds of golf under our belts and it was good to see them close it out today," said Barlow. "I'm really proud of the girls."
The Spiders will return to action at NC State's Lonnie Poole Golf Course next week for the NC State Stroke Play Event on March 21-22.
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