Colts Neck Golf Star Finishes Strong at El Tigre Invitational

COLTS NECK, NJ - Emily Mills, the junior captain of the Rutgers women's golf team and who hails from Colts Neck, carded a 69 in the final round to finish tied for 12th in the 79-player field with a 220 (76-75-69) at the Hawkeye El Tigre Invitational, played this past Sunday through Tuesday at the El Tigre Golf and Country Club in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Rutgers placed 14th with a 916 (308-304-304) total in a strong field that featured Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 12 and SEC programs.

“It was a good day for me out on the course,” said Mills. “The wind was calmer today and that allowed me to attack a few pins and put myself in position to make birdies. This was my best event of the spring and I feel confident heading into Ohio State's tournament and Big Tens.”

Mills was minus three on par five holes and minus one on par three holes with 38 pars and seven birdies.

“I am proud of the way Emily competed this week,” said Rutgers head coach Kari Williams. “It was another competitive field for us and she played well to finish in the top 15. We will have a great week at home to practice and prepare for Ohio State and the Big Ten Tournament at the end of the month.”

The Scarlet Knights were plus one collectively on par five holes, compiling 154 pars and 26 birdies on the par 72, 6,085-yard course that has hosted the PGA Tour’s World Cup Qualifier for the past seven years and the Ladies LPGA Symetra for the past two.

Freshman Carrie-Ann Lee and redshirt sophomore Ashleigh Greenham placed among the top 50 competitors. Lee finished tied for 42nd with a 229 (77-75-77) and Greenham tied for 50th with a 233 (77-78-78). Lee and Greenham were minus two and minus one, respectively, on par fives as RU played favorably on long yardage holes.

Junior Tatum Jackson and freshman Ana Cortes completed the Rutgers lineup. Jackson shot a 242 (86-76-80) and Cortes posted a 244 (78-85-81).

Sophomore Astrid Aneman competed individually and carded a 247 (84-81-82).

Washington won the tournament with an 873 (295-298-280), besting USTA by a single stroke. Martina Edberg of CSU-Fullerton captured individual medalist honors with a two-under 214 (72-72-70).

Rutgers next returns to the links at the Lady Buckeye Invitational, April 16-17, in Columbus, Ohio.

Photo: scarletknights.com