RiverHawks' McAteer Ties for Medalist Honor

PENSACOLA, FLA. --- Northeastern State University freshman, Whitney McAteer from Jenks, fell to Florida Southern's Melanie Audette in a one-hole playoff for medalist honors at the Bubba Watson West Florida Invitational women's tournament Tuesday.

McAteer had rounds of 78-74 to tie Audette for first at 152 after 36 holes, losing in the playoff. It was the second consecutive tournament McAteer had played for medalist honors. She took medalist honors in last week's Northeastern State  University Women's  Classic.

"I struggled the first day, but I knew I could turn it around the second day,'' said McAteer.

"I knew if I played constant I could at least finish in the top five, that was my goal. Then I was told I just had one girl ahead of me I was shocked.

"Losing the playoff was frustrating, but you learn from it,'' said McAteer. "But a win is a win.''

The RiverHawks placed fifth in the the tournament with a 649 after rounds of 324 and 325. Florida Southern captured the team title with a 611, followed by West Florida University, St. Edwards at 635, Central Oklahoma 647 and Northeastern.

McAteer, who was named to the all-tournament team was followed in the scoring by teammate Liz Cagle ( 85-81) 166, who finished 20^th.

"I never imagined coming here (Northeastern State) and having back-to-back wins. This just blows my mind. Honestly today (Tuesday), I asked one of the girls to tell me what girls were below me so I could have a number to shoot at, then my parents told me there was just one girl higher them me, I was shocked. It was a rough day, but I got through it."

In the playoff, McAteer pulled her drive left, "It wasn't nerves,.'' said McAteer.

Her shot went into the rough and on her second shot it didn't come out of the high grass like she wanted.

"I was just too far from the hole to make a make-able putt. One more roll and it might have gone in. It just didn't fall for me,'' said McAteer.