Seminole State College finished ninth in the 15-team Florida International University Pat Bradley Invitational, closing its fall season with a final-day rise into the top 10. The 54-hole women’s golf tournament was played at the newly renovated Miami Lakes Golf Club amid heavy rain and strong winds. Seminole State produced its strongest team performance on the final day to move up the leaderboard.
Freshman Rio Nakama led the Seminole State College women’s golf team with a final-round 69. She finished tied for fourth individually and earned a top-five result at the tournament. Nakama’s performance gave Seminole State its leading individual finish in the event.
Nakama delivers top-five finish
Nakama rebounded with her final-round 69 after facing difficult conditions during the second round. Her finish helped highlight Seminole State’s response on the final day as the team climbed into the top 10. The tournament marked the end of Seminole State’s fall season.
Head Coach Christa Teno said the tournament tested the team while praising Nakama’s performance and identifying an area for improvement. “It’s was a challenging 54 holes with the rain and wind, but Miami Lakes was in gorgeous shape and the field gave us a great test to end the fall,” said Teno. “Rio had another fantastic week to earn a top-five finish. As a team, we showed tenacity by moving up the leaderboard on the final day, but we need one more player to step up each round. Once we do that, this team will be ready to go low.”
Seminole State connects with Bradley and Cowan
The team also spent time with LPGA Hall of Famer Pat Bradley, the tournament’s namesake. During Sunday’s practice round, alumna Maria Cowan joined Seminole State. Cowan was a member of Seminole State’s 2019 NJCAA National Championship team.
Seminole State plans to return to competition in the spring. The team enters that return after moving up the leaderboard on the final day at Miami Lakes Golf Club. Nakama’s tied-for-fourth finish and final-round 69 provided the team’s top individual result at the fall finale.
FSB Take
Seminole State finished the fall with a clear individual leader in Nakama and a team capable of gaining ground under difficult conditions. The ninth-place finish and final-day move into the top 10 show that the team improved its position when the tournament reached its closing round. Teno’s call for another player to contribute consistently gives Seminole State a specific area to address before returning in the spring.
Source: Original report