The Tribune

NCAA sports will have an active fall season at the Atlantis resort with golf as the first event on the sports tourism calendar.

The Lipscomb University Bisons captured the first title in the series with their win at White Sands Bahamas NCAA Women’s Golf Invitational, hosted by the Little Rock Trojans at the Ocean Club Golf Course.

The Bisons were the second winners of the event, following Texas Campbell at the previous editions in 2019 and 2021.

Lipscomb head coach Shannon O’Brien said her team’s performance with the backdrop of the Atlantis resort made for a milestone moment of the season thus far.

“I am so happy for these girls. To have the low four scorers and to be 13 under par as a team is amazing. On top of that, we couldn’t have been anywhere more beautiful,” she said.

“Words can’t express how wonderful this week was for a bunch of girls from a school in Nashville. We came here to win, but we are going home with so much more. We have memories for a lifetime from the Bahamas. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to making this event so terrific.”

The Bisons were led by sophomore Mary Kate Smith and senior Lauren Thompson, who both shot - 4 under par. Both finished at 212. Thompson, earned the individual medal in a five-hole playoff, her second tournament win of the fall season.

“It couldn’t have been a better week for me or for our team,” said Thompson, “I played well this week, and I made a lot of birdies (14). My putting carried me. But I also have a low ball flight and that gives me a bit of an advantage in the wind here. I’ve had a ton of fun this week, and I know I will be back to the Bahamas.”

Smith entered as the top-ranked golfer in the field, at no. 147.

As a team, Lipscomb shot -13 (851) to finish ahead of Arkansas State at 886, Central Arkansas was third at 895 and UNC Greensboro was next at 904 and host Little Rock rounded out the top five with a score of 908.

Rounding out the final team scoring in the eight-team field were host Little Rock at 908, Memphis at 918, South Dakota State at 928 and Florida Gulf Coast at 932.

The remainder of the field included Memphis at 918, South Dakota State at 926, and Florida Gulf Coast at 932.

The men’s event will follow from October 28-30, with VCU serving as the host school.

The men’s teams entered are Arkansas State, Delaware, Duke, LA Monroe, Nebraska, Sam Houston State, Southern Mississippi, Stetson, Texas State, Troy, UTEP and VCU. “The Bahamas is a picture-perfect backdrop for this prestigious tournament and an ideal destination for the athletes and spectators to relax and recharge in between the competition,” said Latia Duncombe, acting director general, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation.

“We know that all the attendees will find our warm hospitality, beautiful white sand beaches, endless cultural attractions and experiences reason to come back and visit another of our 16 island destinations.

“On behalf of the Ocean Club Golf Course and Atlantis Paradise Island, we welcome all the athletes competing in the 2022 White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational, along with their coaches, alumni and fans. The Invitational is an excellent opportunity to offer our course as a true test for top amateur golfers. We are looking forward to the competition and the chance to showcase our beautiful destination,” said Audrey Oswell, president and managing director at Atlantis Paradise Island.