PHOENIX, Md. – The eyes of every member on the Towson University women's golf team sparkled like sapphires after reading a motivational morning text message from first-year head coach Shannon Briggs Tuesday prior to the final round of the Towson Invitational with the Tigers trailing St. John's by eight strokes.
 
The message made all the difference as the focused and inspired Tigers shot a final round 292 to storm from behind and win their fifth Towson Invitational championship in program history.
 
Led by collegiate career low rounds of one-under 71 from sophomores Jayla Kang and Julia Calomiris, the Tigers shot their second best round in program history. The program record for lowest round is 287 established in 2017.
 
Towson and St. John's each finished with a two round score of 597, which is also the second best 36-hole score in program history. Towson earned the championship based on the tiebreaker of its No. 5 finisher having a better score than St. John's fifth finisher by two strokes.
 
Quotable
Calomiris on the importance of the morning text message from her coach.
"We all had positive vibes after waking up to coach's enthusiastic text. She basically told us we could (overcome St. John's eight-stroke deficit). The support of our coach, parents and each other helped us today. We all played relaxed. Winning this tournament means so much to me that I don't even know how to start to explain what this moment means."
 
Calomiris on what helped her shoot a career low.
"My putting was consistent today. I haven't been as consistent with that and putting hasn't been my strongest thing this season. It was good to get that going heading into our last tournament of the fall. I was just standing over the ball and not thinking. I was just hitting away today."
 
Briggs on her message to the team this morning.
"I told them to wake up with a purpose. Today is a day we would've been lifting and working out so it was a general reminder that all the hard work that they do are geared to these tournaments and types of opportunities. (The text) was a gentle reminder that reiterates to them that they already knew they could go out and do it and also let's them know that others believe in them to perform well and come out on top."

Course Information
Eagle's Nest Country Club
Par 72, 6,162 yards
 
How It Happened

• Calomiris and Kang were the only golfers to shoot under par in the final round.
• Calomiris' two-round score of 148 is the second lowest in program history for a 36-hole tournament.
• Calomiris finished second overall (+2).
• She was one of four Tigers who finished among the top 10 overall.
• Calomiris started strong with a birdie on her first hole. She birdied three of her first 10 holes, making at least par on all of them.
• Calomiris tied for the tournament lead with eight birdies.
• In finishing third overall for the second consecutive year at this tournament, Kang enjoyed similar success during the final round as she had a streak of making par or better on 15 consecutive holes.
• Kang birdied the fifth, 12th and 18th holes.
• Kang's two-round total of 148 was tied for the third lowest two-round score in program history.
• Sophomore Jordan Cornelius and junior Sarah Perine tied for sixth overall after a two-round score of 152 (+8).
• Perine and Kang each had a tournament best 26 pars.
• Senior Erica Han carded a final round four-over 76 to finish tied for 12th with a 154.

 
Inside the Numbers

• This is the second time that Towson tied for the Towson Invitational tournament title.
• The Tigers with Delaware in 2014 and won the event outright in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
• This was the Tigers third round under 300 this fall.
• This is Cornelius' second consecutive top 10 finish in a tournament.
• Towson has finished third or better in three of its four tournaments this fall.

Final Word from Briggs.
"This is a complete win for the entire team. These young ladies really support one another on and off the course and it's truly why we've had early success."
 
Up Next

• Towson concludes its fall campaign by competing in the Blue Hen Invitational on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20.