GREENVILLE, Ala. — #2 Dalton State women's golf put together three steady rounds to claim the 2026 SSAC Women's Golf Championship at RTJ Golf Trail at Cambrian Ridge, finishing +18 (882) and winning by 53 strokes over the field. Dalton State followed rounds of +9 (297), +5 (293) and +4 (292) to secure the conference crown.
 
Dalton State also took home the top individual spot as Jia Kataria posted a three-round total of 209 (-7) to win medalist honors.
 
ROUND 1 RECAP (297, +9)
Dalton State set the tone early with a solid opening round of 297 (+9) to establish control at the SSAC Championship. The Roadrunners were powered by a pair of even-par rounds at the top of the lineup, as Jia Kataria and Sara Burger each signed for 70 to lead the way.
 
Behind that front-two punch, Dalton State kept the scorecard moving in the right direction with Reese Day (78) and Tara Phipps (79) counting toward the team total. Tylah James (80) rounded out the five scores on the day.
 
Dalton State counting scores (R1): 70, 70, 78, 79 (297)
Low Roundrunners (R1): Kataria 70, Burger 70
 
ROUND 2 RECAP (293, +5)
Dalton State continued to separate from the pack in round two, trimming four shots off its opening-day pace with a 293 (+5). The day's headline number belonged to Jia Kataria, who surged with a 69 to post the tournament's best single-round score for the Roadrunners through two rounds.
 
Dalton State added key support throughout the lineup, including Tara Phipps (72) and matching rounds of 76 from Reese Day and Tylah James. Sara Burger (78) battled throughout the day and provided depth as Dalton State maintained a comfortable team advantage heading into the final round.
 
Dalton State counting scores (R2): 69, 72, 76, 76 (293)
Low Roadrunner (R2): Kataria 69
 
ROUND 3 RECAP (292, +4)
With the championship in sight, Dalton State delivered its best team round of the week when it mattered most, closing with a 292 (+4) to finish +18 and lock up the SSAC title.
 
Jia Kataria stayed steady down the stretch with a closing 70, sealing medalist honors at -7 (209). Sara Burger added a strong final-round 72, while Reese Day and Tylah James each contributed 75 as counting scores. Tara Phipps (78) completed the lineup as Dalton State comfortably finished atop the final leaderboard.
 
Dalton State counting scores (R3): 70, 72, 75, 75 (292)
Low Roadrunner (R3): Kataria 70
 
Dalton State 54-Hole Totals

• Jia Kataria: 209 (-7) (70-69-70) — Medalist
• Sara Burger: 220 (+4) (70-78-72)
• Reese Dey: 229 (+13) (78-76-75)
• Tara Phipps: 229 (+13) (79-72-78)
• Tylah James: 231 (+15) (80-76-75)

Team Total: 882 (+18) (297-293-292)
 
UP NEXT
No. 2 Dalton State focuses now on the NAIA Women's Golf National Championship at Eagle Crest Golf Club in Ypsilanti, Mich. on May 19-22.
 
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