SILVIS, Ill. – The University of Pikeville women's golf team finished in fourth place this week in the 54-hole NAIA TPC Deere Run Invitational tournament.
 
Competing in a field of 13 teams, the Bears shot 124-over par in the event. On Tuesday, they matched their opening-round score of 39-over par to settle into fourth place.
 
"This was one hard course," said Coach Nelson Scott of the 5,943-yard course where the John Deere Classic, an event on the PGA's annual men's tour, has been held since 2000. "It was challenging for every team and the scores show it.
 
"Overall I'm pleased with how we finished."
 
SCAD Atlanta, a branch of the Savannah College of Art and Design, won the tournament with a score of 80-over par. It outdistanced Marian (Ind.) University, which shot 94-over par. Indiana Wesleyan was third at 108-over, followed by UPike.
 
Individually, sophomore Renee Crooks finished sixth with a three-round score of 240 (78-78-84), which was 24-over par. Her opening round featured a hole-in-one on the 133-yard 16^th hole.
 
Marian's Sidney Parmer won the tournament at 11-over.
 
Carly Crooks, Renee's twin sister, finished tied for ninth with a score of 243 (81-84-78). Freshman Tayla Howroyd was tied for 14^th at 29-over-par 245, shooting rounds of 82-84-79.
 
UPike senior Gabrielle Blankenship and junior Sophie Beverly finished tied at 50-over 266, which was good for 41^st in the field. Blankenship shot rounds of 86-90-90 while Beverly finished her rounds at 92-88-86.
 
The Bears will wrap up the fall portion of the schedule next week when they play in the AAC Fall Championship on Oct. 24-25 at the Windermere Club in Blythewood, S.C.