STEPHANIE MEADOW WINS EAST REGIONAL TITLE BY SIX SHOTS

Just champion! That's how Stephanie Meadow is feeling after her third win as a freshman at Alabama University. Now for the NCAA Championship.

Alabama University women's golf team captured the NCAA East Regional title today for the first time with a 54-hole total of 2-over-par 866 on the par-72, 6,271-yard Legends Course at LPGA International, Daytona Beach.
The victory qualifies Alabama - the "Crimson Tide" - to play in the NCAA Women's Championship at the Traditions Club, Bryan in Texas from May 18 to 21.
Outstanding Alabama freshman Stephanie Meadow, 19, from Jordanstown, Northern Ireland overwhelmed the field of 126 to win the individual honours. She is the first Crimson Tide player to win three times in one season and also equalled the school record for most career wins.
"The funny thing about Stephanie's win is that it was total dominance, but she doesn't have what you would call a dominating style," said Alabama head coach Mic Potter following Meadow's six-stroke victory with a nine-under-par total of 207. "She isn't really long, doesn't reach the par 5s in two shots, but she keeps the ball in play, avoids big mistakes, has great distance control on her irons and makes a bunch of birdies when she gets her putter going like yesterday and today." Meadow blitzed the field with rounds of 71 and 67 on the first two days to take the 36-hole lead and closed things out with a three-under-par 69 today to finish at 9-under-par 207 to outdistance runner-up Pia Halbig of California by six shots. The 207 was a 54-hole career best for Meadow who must be one of the favourites for the British women's open amateur championship over her home links at Royal Portrush Golf Club from June 7 to 11. 
When she was only 14, she won the Irish Under-18 girls championship in 2006 and was a Great Britain and Ireland team reserve for last year's Curtis Cup match at Essex County Club, Massachusetts.
Stephanie is a front-runner for a place in the GB and I team for the Vagliano Trophy match against the Continent of Europe at Royal Porthcawl GC, South Wales on June 24-25.
No 25 in the Women's World Amateur rnakings last week, Stephanie's latest success against a good-class field could lift her into the top 20 for the first time when the list updated this coming week.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Individual
Par 216 (3x72)
207 Stephanie Meadow (Alabama) 71 67 69.
213 Pia Halbig (California) 73 70 70.
Three players tied for third place on 216.
Selected scores:
230 Katie Mundy (Florida State) 79 74 77 (T69).
231 Kirsty Rands (Augusta State) 79 76 76 (T78).
Field of 126 players.
Team
866 Alabama
868 North Carolina.
871 Arizona State.
*Vanderbilt defeated Florida State in a play-off for the 8th and final spot in the NCAA Championships.