WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Some of the nation’s top collegiate golfers gathered in Wilmington for the 22nd annual Landfall Tradition, a four-day event held at the Country Club of Landfall.

The tournament featured eight teams ranked top-40 nationally, per the latest Golfstat rankings. Six of those schools are ranked in the top-25.

For UNCW’s program, the weekend is an opportunity to test themselves against the nation’s best.

“It just means so much to our program, but also to the support of college women’s golf, women’s golf in general,” said UNCW head coach Cindy Ho. “It just means a tremendous amount to us to have the support of the club and then the community as well.”

The tournament’s proceeds go toward supporting the Seahawks’ program, giving them two full scholarships for golfers and also helping them travel to major tournaments.

Event organizer Jack Barto got involved with the tournament eight years ago, and says since then, the tournament’s impact on UNCW’s program has increased “tenfold.”

“It’s vital to their ability to compete and recruit because with NIL and everything that’s going on, women’s collegiate golf – like any sport – is very competitive, and this allows them to compete,” Barto said.

The tournament featured 18 different schools, with Florida State topping reigning champion Duke by just one stroke. The Seminoles’ lineup included Lottie Woad, the top-ranked amateur golfer in the world.

Over the years, national-championship winning teams and future LPGA players have teed off at Landfall, too.

“It’s become kind of a family event, with a number of teams wanting to come back, and people reach out to us asking if they can come to this tournament that’s known nationally as one of the premier collegiate tournaments,” Barto said.

UNCW was one of just a few schools in this year’s tournament not part of a major conference. The Seahawks have found success during Ho’s tenure, and with the boost this tournament expects to provide, another step forward is expected in the future.

“I think it showed this weekend that we can compete with them,” the coach said. “We might not be at the very top, but we’re holding our own, and then we’re just going to continue growing and developing our players.”

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