The victory actually marked the second time this year that the women have capped a season with a win over Williams in Williamstown. In October, the Jeffs took the title of NESCAC champions and won the Williams Fall Classic to end the fall season. It also marked a team program record for single-season victories with six for the year, beating the previous record of five set the last year.
The Jeffs were determined to end the year with the best they had, shooting a season-best 308 on the first day, led by senior co-captain Kinne Schwartz’s 74, a personal collegiate best, and Milbourn’s 78. “We had our best season performance with a 308 the first day, but that only put us ahead of Williams by 6,” said Schwartz. “Then everything came down to the wire on day two.” Williams managed to repeat its first day score of 314 on the second day and finish with a 628, two strokes behind Amherst, which finished with a line of 308-318-626 to fend off the Ephs and take the title.
Milbourn was a large part of the Jeffs’ ability to hang on to their narrow lead. She was the only Jeff to play better on the second day than on the first, shooting a 73 on the second day, including a hole-in-one on the 14th hole. After tying Eaton at 151, Milbourn took the first playoff hole for her fourth individual title on the year and 12th of her career.
Individually, Schwartz also was in the top 10, finishing tied for sixth with a 74-81-155. Elaine Lin ’12 (78-80-158) and Nina Yoo ’12 (78-85-163) both finished in the top 20, ending up 12th and tied for 16th, respectively.
Schwartz, one of two graduating seniors on the team, was satisfied both by how the season turned and by her performance over the weekend. “This was our last tournament of the season and it’s possibly the best season recorded in women’s golf history with six tournament wins,” said Schwartz. “This was also my last tournament as a collegiate athlete, so it was amazing to have a strong finish individually as well as with another team win.”