The USC Upstate and Lander women’s teams each claimed tournament wins on Tuesday.

Upstate won the Eagle Invitational at the Rock Hill Country with an amazing turn-around from the first to second round.

The Lander team and Hanna Stephenson each claimed a title at the Lady Cougar Invitational in Columbus, Georgia.

The Spartans finished off the first day of play trailing Campbell by 11 shots before shooting a second round score of 300 to win by 12 shots.

“Our players played a great round today,” said Upstate coach Todd Lawton. “All of our players stayed in it and it was everything you want as a coach,” he said.

Suwarin Yord-In, who won the first tournament she played at Upstate, had the first round lead, but the team was well off the pace set by Campbell.

The Camels shot an opening round 305 while Upstate posted a 316 total leaving the Spartans with a lot of ground to make up in the final round.

“Most of my coaching career I’d tell them where they where, but we were just silent. We decided to just let them go out and play,” said Lawton.

The Spartans responded by erasing the 11 stroke deficit and building a lead that led to the 12 shot victory.

“It was roller coaster out there. The last 10 holes were incredible. It was fun watching it all come together. Proud would not even be the right term,” said the Spartans coach.

Praew Nontarux accounted for a 10-shot swing by herself. The Spartan’s freshman had opened the tournament shooting 80, but shaved 10 shots off her tournament score in the second round.

“This round was so incredible, I can’t believe it,” said Nontarux. “Yesterday I shot 80 and today I wasn’t thinking about it,” she said.

The 10 shot swing moved Nontarux up to second place behind medalist Anna Nordfors from Campbell who finished at 1-over par for the win.

Nontarux was not the only Spartan to contribute to the amazing comeback.

Beem Pabsimma carded a second round 75 to finish 5th. Yord-In tied for 7th and Pan Paksanont’s second round 75 gave her a tie for ninth. Katherine Elliott rounded out the Spartans individual scoring to finish 36th.

The Spartans also had several individuals competing in the event. Abigayle Hatcher also cut 10-shots off her total in the second round to finish 29th.

This was the second straight win at the Rock Hill event for Upstate. The team now hopes the momentum they gained with the win will carry forward to the Low Country Intercollegiate at Hilton Head next week.

“There isn’t anything better than to see yourself at the top and playing well. I love the fact that it is close enough together and we are on a roll and we can keep playing,” concluded Lawton.

Lander and Stephenson win Lady Cougar titles

The Bearcats came from six shots off the lead to win the Lady Cougar Invitational at the Maple Ridge Golf Club in Columbus, Georgia.

Not only did the Bearcats team get the win, but Hannah Stephenson claimed medalist honors at the tournament.

The Bearcat junior started the final round trailing Nikki Norlin from Barton College by a shot.

Stephenson shot rounds of 74 and 76 for a 150 total to pass Norlin and take a 6-shot win.

The team’s 304 second round score was the best of the tournament and earned Lander a 10-shot victory.

In addition to Stephenson at the top of the leader board the Bearcats placed three golfers in. the top-25.

Chloe Hiott finished in a tie for 10th, Caroline Hardee was 13th, Ella Nilsson tied for 15th and Caitlyn Cash was 25th to contribute to the win.

Lander is next in action late this month at their own Bearcat Invitational to be played at the Links at Stoney Point.