BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (November 1, 2026) – The University of North Alabama women's golf team opened the final tournament of the fall season Sunday with two rounds at the Samford Intercollegiate in Birmingham, Ala.
Playing under tough conditions, the Lions are currently in sixth place with a score of 629 (+61). All eight teams in the tournament were over 300 strokes in the first round, and the best two-round score was +22.
While most of the Shoals area and surrounding states were dealing with steady rainfall, the golfers in Birmingham were dealing with less rain but heavier wind.
UNA is just seven strokes outside of the top-five currently occupied by Illinois State. The Lions have a three-stroke lead over Bellarmine for the sixth spot, while Chattanooga is 20 strokes back of Bellarmine in eighth place.
The best hole of the day came from junior Olivia Whittle, who scored an eagle in the second round on hole nine. On her second shot of the par-four, she made an impressive shot from the fairway 85 yards away from the hole. She was the only player to eagle a hole in the first two rounds. This is UNA's second eagle of the season, as Busby had one in Arkansas two weeks ago.
Whittle is currently tied for 31st at +18.
Playing a firm, fast course at Inverness Country Club, two Lions were tied for 20th to lead the way at +13. Senior Ava Schwartz and true freshman Ella Busby were the two leaders in the first two rounds, led by Busby with a 75 in the second round and Schwartz with a 76. Busby led with six birdies, tied for fifth-most in the entire field.
Freshman Celia Martinez Garcia is in a tie for 34th at +19, which is the same position she ended in last week. Her first round included a 79. She made a birdie in each round. Rounding out UNA's golfers is redshirt senior Kerigan Klauber at +22 and individual freshman Annalee Regan at +21.
UAB's Chloe Ruble and Jax State's Lara El Chaib are tied for first at -1. JSU leads Samford on the team leaderboard by eight strokes, followed by UAB and West Florida to round out the top four.
The final round is set for tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. UNA will tee off on holes 6-11 with UAB and West Florida.
For final results, click here.
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