The UNC women's golf team finishes seventh in Clover Cup

The North Carolina women's golf team finished seven over par at Clover Cup, earning them a seventh-place finish for the weekend.

What happened?

On Day 1, the Tar Heels posted a strong outing orchestrated by Kayla Smith, Nicole Adam and Krista Junkkari. 

Smith led the way for North Carolina shooting one under par on Friday. The impressive start by the junior from Burlington helped fuel her fellow teammates, while also validating her No. 106 individual ranking. 

A team-high seven birdies were chipped in by Adam on the opening day, helping her finish at even par. But, her score could’ve been even better, as a double bogey on 17th hole stripped what presumed to be an under-par day for the sophomore standout.

Junkkari’s one over par finish helped solidify a strong first day for the team, as UNC finished four over par and seventh in the team standings.  

The next day, the Tar Heels bested their initial performance stroking two over par as a team. 

Similar to Day 1, Smith was the catalyst to North Carolina’s success, as her even-par day was a team best. Moreover, Adam continued her breakout campaign, as her even-par Saturday was a strong follow-up to her sluggish end on Day 1. 

By the end of the second day, UNC had propelled its way up to sixth place in the team standings with a score of six over par. 

The upward trajectory for North Carolina continued into the final day of the Clover Cup on Sunday. 

Behind the club’s of Smith and Adam, the Tar Heels steadied themselves to a one over par finish to round out the weekend. The impressive finish marked the best day for UNC during the competition, and earned the team a seventh-place finish. 

Who stood out? 

Smith’s patience and maturity was evident throughout the weekend and helped keep the Tar Heels on course in the early goings. With her experience, Smith helped ease Tar Heels’ ship on Day 1, as her 12 pars and trio of birdies - all on the back 15 holes - paved the way to the strong start.

Adam also flashed glimpses of her ability to make big time chip-ins and puts, as the second-year Tar Heel notched seven birdies on Day 1. But, her five bogeys and a late-day double bogey negated the under par holes for the Pinehurst native.

If Adam can couple her impressive upside with consistent play, she can help propel North Carolina to a greater level of play. 

When was it decided?

The Tar Heels’ weekend-best day on Sunday helped secure a seventh-place finish. Hitting one over par for the day, the improvement displayed by North Carolina guided them to tie with New Mexico at seven over par.

The weekend competition was won by Clemson, whose 18 under par score raced the Tigers past No. 19 Texas A&M and No. 17 LSU. The shocking win came by way of a stunning final day by the unranked Tigers, who shot an astounding 12 under par. 

Why does it matter?

Finishing in the top half of an event whose field bolstered multiple ranked teams is something the Tar Heels should be able to build upon during the spring months. 

Likewise, UNC’s seventh place finish exhibits the improvement the team has undergone throughout the season, as North Carolina finished fourteenth at the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate tournament nearly two weeks ago.

When do they play next?

The Tar Heels get the remainder of March off and won’t compete again until April 3, when they take on in-state rival NC State.

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com