Memphis Women's Golf Wins Final Match at Great River Cup

Tigers finish tied for sixth in match-play tournament hosted by Louisiana Monroe and Southern Miss

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The University of Memphis women's golf team closed out the Great River Cup tournament in Monroe, Louisiana with a 3.5-1.5 victory over James Madison in the final round. Despite dropping their first two matches against Central Arkansas and Arkansas State, the Tigers bounced back to win their last outing of the match-play event.

Why it matters

The Great River Cup featured a unique match-play format, which provided a different challenge for the Memphis squad compared to their typical stroke-play tournaments. The team's performance in the final round shows their ability to adapt and compete in various tournament formats as they prepare for the rest of their spring season.

The details

In the opening round, Memphis fell 3.5-1.5 to Central Arkansas, with Emily Wilson providing the lone victory for the Tigers. The second-round matchup against Arkansas State resulted in a similar 3.5-1.5 loss, though Tilly Garfoot and Claire Swathwood earned points for Memphis. The Tigers closed out the event on a high note, defeating James Madison 3.5-1.5 in the final round. Claire Swathwood led the way with a 5&4 win, while Emily Wilson and Tilly Garfoot also picked up victories.

  • The Great River Cup took place from February 16-18, 2026 in Monroe, Louisiana.
  • Memphis competed in three matches during the three-day event.

The players

Emily Wilson

A member of the Memphis women's golf team who earned a 3&1 victory in the opening round against Central Arkansas.

Claire Swathwood

A Memphis golfer who battled to a tie in the opening round and then secured a 5&4 win in the final round against James Madison.

Tilly Garfoot

A Memphis women's golf player who earned a 3&2 victory against Arkansas State and a 1 up win against James Madison.

Malia Cottriel

A member of the Memphis women's golf team who came up short in her matches against Central Arkansas and Arkansas State.

Pavarisa Jongpipittaporn

A Memphis golfer who competed as an individual in the opening round and then halved her match in the final round against James Madison.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Memphis will next compete in the SoCal Spring Invitational in Camarillo, California from March 8-10, 2026.

The takeaway

The Great River Cup provided the Memphis women's golf team with a valuable opportunity to test their skills in a match-play format, which will help prepare them for the remainder of their spring season as they look to build on their final-round victory over James Madison.