Toennessen Earns Top‑Five Finish as Tampa Places Fourth at SSC Championship

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. – The University of Tampa women's golf team closed the 2026 Sunshine State Conference Championship with a strong final round, finishing fourth (+48) at Cabot Citrus Farms – Roost.

The Spartans posted a 912 team total (314–305–293), recording their best score of the championship on the final day to climb the leaderboard and secure a top‑four finish in one of the nation's deepest Division II conferences. Tampa finished behind nationally ranked Nova Southeastern (#6), Lynn (#8), and Rollins (#18), while placing ahead of fellow ranked programs Saint Leo (#20), Florida Southern (#12), Eckerd (#22), and Barry (#9).

The three‑round championship was played April 12–14 on the 6,175‑yard, par‑72 layout and featured all 10 Sunshine State Conference programs.

Toennessen Finishes T‑5 to Pace Spartans

Ruth Toennessen delivered Tampa's top individual performance, finishing T‑5 at +6 (77–73–72). She steadily climbed the leaderboard across all three rounds and capped the championship with an even‑par 72, one of the lowest final‑round scores among conference contenders.

Spartans Surge on Final Day

Tampa showed resilience throughout the championship, cutting 21 strokes off its opening‑round score over the final two rounds. The Spartans' 293 in Round 3 marked the third‑best team score of the day and illustrated Tampa's depth and composure under postseason pressure.

All five scoring Spartans finished inside the top 35, underscoring the team's consistency from top to bottom in a field filled with nationally ranked opposition.

Spartans Scorecard

T5. Ruth Toennessen – 222 (+6).
Rounds: 77, 73, 72. Delivered a top‑five finish and a strong closing round to lead Tampa.

T19. Kelly Shanahan – 230 (+14).
Rounds: 77, 76, 77. Posted consistent scoring throughout the championship.

T25. Annie Betts – 232 (+16).
Rounds: 80, 77, 75. Improved each round to secure a top‑25 finish.

T29. Maria Mora – 233 (+17).
Rounds: 80, 79, 74. Closed with her lowest round of the week.

T31. Kat Brictson – 234 (+18).
Rounds: 82, 80, 72. Finished strong with an even‑par final round.