Clarkesville, GA -- The Piedmont College women's golf team earned the title of 2011 Great South Athletic Conference Golf Championship Tournament champs this afternoon by running away from the field at the league's first-ever event.  The team posted a season-best team score of 324-324--648 to finish 54 strokes ahead of the field.  

PC's KIMBERLEY TUCKER provided the highlight of the tournament as the sophomore carded a hole-in-one on the par three 13th hole during the event's second round.  The hole-in-one was Tucker's first career ace.

Piedmont's KATARINA HODGE and MARIA CARTER shared medalist honors with identical score of 156 earning the duo the distinction of GSAC Co-Players of the Year.  Hodge posted the first-day's best score of 76 followed by an 80 while Carter inked the tournament's final round low score of 77 after her opening round of 79.  By being the low scoring freshman in the event, Hodge also collected GSAC Freshman of the Year honors.

CAYLA BANKS posted a score of 81-86--167 which was good for a fifth place finish in the 15-player field earning her a spot on the All-Conference team along with Hodge and Carter.  Tucker's ace aided her season-best score of 88-81--169 as she finished sixth narrowly earning All-Conference honors.

All four of the Lady Lions' tournament scored marked season-lows for the three sophomores and single freshman.  Both the team score of 648 and Hodge and Carter's score of 156 marks a new PC school records for 36-hole scores.  Hodge's opening round 76 also tied the individual single-round school record.

Piedmont also placed a pair of players on the GSAC All-Academic team as Carter and BETHANN ROGERS earned the distinction by meeting the criteria of a 3.25 cumulative GPA and being of sophomore or higher status. 

Rogers, a four-year letter-winner, rounded out her collegiate career by being voted to the GSAC All-Sportsmanship team serving as the squad's lone representative.  Rogers was sidelined during the spring semester with a shoulder injury.

By mentoring the 2011 GSAC Champions, PC head coach Dusty Rogers was honored as the league's Coach of the Year.  Rogers led the Lady Lions to a ranking as high as #26 in the National Golf Coaches Association NCAA Division III national rankings. 

The record-books re-writing conference championship wraps up the 2010-2011 season for the PC women's golf team.

Complete tournament information including results, year-end honors and photos can be found at the official tournament website.