More than Golf Invitational shines spotlight on community, competition
By Rodrigo Burgos-Avila | Sports writer
AIKEN, S.C.—The Annika Foundation’s More than Golf Invitational delivered a weekend of competitive play and community spirit. at Old Barnwell Golf Club.
While Augusta University’s women’s golf team struggled, the tournament reminded everyone that golf is about more than just the final score.
Georgia Southern stood out on both the individual and team fronts. Mary Miller from Georgia Southern claimed the top individual spot with a score of 5 under par, followed by Mary Grace Dunigan from Delaware at 4 under par and Louise Reau, also from Georgia Southern, at 3 under par.
In the team competition, Georgia Southern emerged as the tournament champion, finishing at even par. Delaware, Illinois State and Dartmouth were second, third and fourth, respectively. Delaware finished at 18 over par, followed by Illinois State at 19 over. Dartmouth was 21 over par. Columbia rounded out the top five, carding a 28-over-par total.
AU finished 12th at 86 over par. Zoe Pinillos was Augusta’s top finisher at 14 over. She shot a very solid 1 over in the second round at the tough Old Barnwell layout.
Beyond the scores, the tournament emphasized mentorship and community. The Annika Foundation has built a reputation for supporting women in golf, focusing on both athletic achievement and personal growth. This approach turned the tournament into more than just a competition, it became an opportunity for players to connect, learn, and inspire one another.
Looking ahead, the Jaguars are preparing for their season-concluding tournaments. The next event is in Athens during Masters week at the Liz Murphy Collegiate Classic on April 8-9, followed by the Southland Conference Championship from April 14-16. These back-to-back tournaments offer fresh opportunities to regroup and build momentum to finish the season on a high note.
The Jaguars have won the Southland three straights year, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament each year.
In the end, the event was a celebration of the game’s spirit. It showed that while scores and rankings matter, the true reward lies in the fellowship and growth that golf can offer.
(Note: Photo at the top of the page by Paula Toole/AU Athletics.)
Contact Rodrigo Burgos-Avila at RBURGOSAVILA@augusta.edu.
Zoe Piniloss led the way for Augusta with an excellent 1-over-par second round at Old Barnwell. (photo by Rodrigo Burgos-Avila/the Bell Ringer)
