GREENVILLE, Ala. – No. 15 William Carey stormed back from a twelve-shot deficit over the final two rounds of the 2025 SSAC Women's Golf Championship to claim their second consecutive SSAC Title, defeating No. 4 Dalton State in a playoff.
"What a week," said Head Coach
Jeff Mixon. "Very proud of the resilience of these young women. It has been a long year, with many highs and lows, but they never stopped working. We played from behind the entire tournament until the last few holes. We got the lead, lost the lead, and battled back to gain a tie for first at the end of regulation. In preparation for the playoff, we talked about resilience, staying focused, and competing. They did that perfectly and secured the championship. Beyond proud of them. It was very emotional and such a joy to see them celebrate. I am very thankful and happy for this group!"
Day one saw the Lady Crusaders finish in second place with a team total of 311 (+23), twelve shots behind Dalton State.
Pattaramon Ruangrung finished the first round in third place with a two over par 74 with
Gracie Bloom posting a four over 76 to finish in a tie for fifth.
Aidan Haithcock also posted a top ten finish, posting a seven over par 79 to end round one in a tie for tenth with
Gracelynn Cooley finishing just outside the top ten.
Carey, knowing they had work to do to cut the deficit, came out and shot their best round of the tournament with a team total of 300 in the second round. The eleven-stroke improvement allowed them to cut Dalton's lead to just eight heading into the final round.
Ruangrung followed her first-round score, posting another two over par 74 to move up one spot on the leaderboard. Bloom also moved up the leaderboard, posting an even par 72, to finish the round tied for second.
Taamtond Nivasananda made the biggest move of the day, climbing nine spots to seventh with a two over par while Haithcock found herself in ninth place after the second round with a five over par.
As the temperature rose on the final day, so did the battle brewing between the Roadrunners and the Lady Crusaders. Carey chipped away at the eight-shot lead to tie Dalton on the day, with both taking turns with the lead on the back nine. With everything to play for heading into the final hole, it came down to Bloom and Sara Burger to decide the outcome.
With a one-shot lead, Bloom was the first to go with a putt for par but her putt came up short opening the window for Burger to clinch the championship with a putt for birdie. However, her putt missed, just catching the edge of the cup, leaving her to settle for par, forcing the playoff.
Worawalan Siwaiyapram for WCU and Hanna Bullard for DSC led things off with both making par to leave the score tied. Cooley and Nivasananda were next facing off against Tara Phipps and Tylah James. Both pairs would post a birdie and a bogey to again leave the match tied.
The final two groups featured Bloom and Ruangrung of WCU and Burger and Jia Kataria of Dalton State. It would be Bloom to strike first, just missing an eagle putt from 35 feet, putting it inches left of the hole. Bloom would tap in the birdie putt, putting pressure on the Roadrunners.
Kataria was next to go, as she attempted a birdie putt to even things once again. However, her putt would run past the hole, seeing her finish with par and keeping the advantage with WCU.
Now Ruangrung just had to match Burger to secure the championship for the Lady Crusaders. With both putting for par, Ruangrung stepped up first, draining a five-footer, meaning Burger's putt was irrelevant, as the par from Ruangrung sealed the come from behind victory.
With the victory, WCU earns an automatic berth in the NAIA Women's Golf National Championship, being held May 13-16 at Eagle Crest Golf Club in Ypsilanti, Mich.
Order of Finish
2.
Gracie Bloom 76, 72, 75,
3.
Pattaramon Ruangrung 74, 74, 76
5.
Taamtond Nivasananda 81, 74, 71
8.
Aidan Haithcock 79, 77, 74
16.
Worawalan Siwaiyapram 82, 82, 79
23.
Gracelynn Cooley 80, 80, 86
42.
Mallory Gilbertson 100, 99, 96
