April 24, 2005

Queens, NY - While inclement weather in the area forced the tournament to be shortened from 54 holes to 18 holes, the feeling of bringing home a championship title was what mattered most to St. John's head women's golf coach Ambry Bishop.

The Red Storm women's golf team, in its third year of existence and making their first appearance at the BIG EAST Championship, were crowned the victors on Sunday after the tournament at the Warren Golf Course in South Bend, Indiana was shortened due to the weather conditions.

St. John's jumped out to a seven-stroke lead after the first round of play on Saturday, carding a 41-over par 329. They held a seven-shot lead over Georgetown, who was second at 48-over par 336. Host Notre Dame shot a 50-over par 338 and Boston College placed fourth at 65-over par 353.

The Red Storm were led by junior Christin Thomson (Ft. Frances, Ontario, Canada), who finished in third place with a six-over par 78, and was one of four players to finish in the top-10 to help out the balanced effort.

Senior Jaclyn Sanders (Brights Grove, Ontario, Canada) shot a nine-over par 81 and finished in fourth place. Freshman Brittany Lambertson (Northport, NY/Northport) and senior Jennifer Rhee (Rydal, PA/Abington) each carded rounds of 13-over par 85 to tie for sixth place.

Jennifer Rhee receives trophy from Ginger Fulton, chair of the BIG EAST men's and women's golf committee. (Photo courtesy of Mike Bennett at Lighthouse Imaging)

Junior Maggie Steciuk (London, Ontario, Canada/South Huron District) tied for 17th place at 19-over par 91.

Four members of the St. John's women's golf team were named to the BIG EAST All-Tournament team, with Thomson, Sanders, Lambertson and Rhee and taking league honors.

The BIG EAST Championship for the Red Storm women's golf team is the first for a St. John's women's team since 1994, when the women's soccer team beat Boston College for the league title.

The BIG EAST women's champion will begin receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2008.