NEED TO KNOW:
Piedmont Leader: 1st: Erin Donovan, 70-72-73 = 215 (-1)
As a Team: 1st of 8
Event Information: 8 teams; 34 golfers
The Course: Carolina Trace CC in Sanford, North Carolina (Par 72; 5,633 yards)

SANFORD, N.C. - Piedmont women's golf separated late to overtake Huntingdon and capture its first USA South Team Championship in program history while Erin Donovan maintained her lead throughout the day to win her second USA South Individual Championship in her career.



 

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Nothing beats that championship feeling ???????? pic.twitter.com/5pqUfNtp6c

— Piedmont Lions (@PiedmontLions) April 22, 2026

Entering the day trailing by one shot as a team, and with Donovan ahead of the field by six on the individual side, the Lions met the moment on Wednesday, engaging in a back-and-forth battle with Huntingdon throughout the day, with numerous lead changes going into the final stretch.

It was there that Piedmont separated, combining to make four birdies on its inward nine to run away from the Hawks.

In search of her second USA South Individual Championship, Donovan entered the day with a six shot lead, and even after making three bogeys in her first five holes, she was undeterred, bouncing back with back-to-back birdies on her seventh and eighth holes of the day.

Then, on her inward nine, she stood up against adversity once again, immediately bouncing back from a double bogey on her 13th hole to birdie her next one and play her last five holes in 2-under par to slam the door shut on the team and individual titles. Putting an exclamation point on the event, Donovan sank a mid-length birdie putt to start the celebration.




 

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Erin Donovan rolls in the birdie at the last to clinch the USA South Championship for the team and herself ???? pic.twitter.com/D7K4WIHpur

— Piedmont Lions (@PiedmontLions) April 22, 2026

In addition to Donovan, the rest of the team met the moment as well, with Keegan Goins making three birdies on her way to a 5-over 77 and a solo third-place finish, earning her All-Tournament Team honors.

USA South Rookie of the Year Lila Polakowski was ready as well, firing her best round of the tournament, a 6-over 78 that gave Piedmont three counting scores in the 70's. Polakowski's round was highlighted by a key birdie midway through her second nine.

The final counting score for the Lions came from Zoe Shuttlesworth, who also posted her best round of the event, an 84 while Addison Maney delivered a non-counting 87.

All of the clutch putts throughout the day added up to a nine stroke win for the Lions, who improved from third in 2024 to second last year before this season's title.

Up next, the Lions will continue their season and head to the NCAA DIII Women's Golf Championship in May.

LIONS ON THE LEADERBOARD:
1st: Erin Donovan, 70-72-73 (+1)
3rd: Keegan Goins, 79-77-77 (+17)
10th: Lila Polakowski, 79-87-78 (+28)
T-15th: Addison Maney, 84-85-87 (+40)
T-22nd: Zoe Shuttlesworth, 93-92-84 (+53)

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- This marks Donovan's second career USA South Individual Championship. She also won by seven shots in 2024.
- Goins fired three consecutive rounds in the 70's to help the Lions overtake Huntingdon
- Polakowski bounced back from a second round 87 to improve by nine strokes and give the team a key third score in the 70's.
- Maney was rock solid all tournament, with three rounds between 84 and 87.
- Shuttlesworth stepped up in a big way in the final round, posting her best round of the event by eight shots to help the Lions to the championship.

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