HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. – The Rhodes women's golf team made history on Friday, capturing the college's first NCAA Division III National team title, winning the 2014 NCAA Women's Golf National Championship Tournament.
 
The Lynx never trailed in the championship race, pulling out to a commanding 10-stroke lead after round one. Rhodes saw its lead shrink, but held on to a five stroke advantage after the second round of play. Following a rainy third round, the Lynx fought for a twelve stroke lead and clinched the title in the fourth and final round with a team score of 1,256 to win the national title, 24 strokes ahead of the runner-up, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
 
The Lynx were led by their three phenomenal freshmen who anchored the team throughout the tournament.  First-year Jessica Zweifel led the charge, finishing third overall with a four-round score of 307 (77, 79, 76, 75). Fellow first-year Nikki Isaacson placed fourth in the NCAA field with a total score of 312 (76,81, 79, 76). Sophomore Meg Healy tied for 10th, recording a four day score of 318 (80, 78, 82, 78). Sarahanne Vaughan rounded out the freshmen trio, where she had a stellar tournament for the Lynx as well, placing 13th and carding a four day total of 319 (78, 85, 77, 79). Junior Jessica Ritter turned in a total of 376 (80, 96, 90, 86).  Rhodes beat out stiff competition to take the title, downing the defending national champion, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, who shot a score of 1,280. Williams College finished third with an overall score of 1,285 with the University of Texas at Tyler placing fourth shooting 1,291. Methodist University and Ithaca College rounded out the top five with a tie at 1,298. The No. 1 ranked Washington University in St. Louis took seventh with a score of 1,300.

Mary Reed, a senior from Kansas City, served as Rhodes designated on-course coach, and led the team to the national title.  "We could not have won our championship without Mary's leadership," said Lynx head coach Mike Clary.  "The interaction with our players on the course and key advice she provided were huge in our team's play."

Georgiana Salant from Williams College took medalist honors with a four day total of 303. McKenzie Ralston of Mary Hardin-Baylor took second with a tournament total of 305.
 
The Championship is the first team championship for Rhodes College since the 1961 Rhodes Baseball team brought home a national title. This will be the first NCAA Title since the individual tennis title won by Nao Kinoshita in 1997.