Despite trailing entering the final round, the Pioneers rallied early then held off South Dakota State to win their 14th consecutive conference title, this one at the Summit League tournament. With the victory, Denver earned an automatic berth into the NCAA Regional Championships May 8-10.
DU’s run of conference success dates back to 2004 and includes four Summit League championships, nine in the Sun Belt Conference and one in the WAC.
Denver won last year’s Summit title by a whopping 52 strokes, but this year bore no resemblance to 2016. This time around, the Pioneers recorded the lowest team score of the tournament — a 5-over-par 293 — in the final round to record a six-stroke victory. DU finished at 42-over-par 906 for three rounds in notching its first multi-team tournament victory of the season.
Senior Jessica Carty, last year’s individual champion, finished second this time as her 8-over-par 224 total left her two shots behind winner Megan Mingo of South Dakota State. Denver put all of its players in the top eight individually, with Mariell Bruun (227, third place) joining fellow senior McCarty in the top three.
“They’re just gamers,” DU coach Lindsay Kuhle said of her players. “They love to compete. They love to represent DU and they love to pull through. They love the challenge.”
Meanwhile, the University of Colorado remained in second place after Tuesday’s second round of the Women’s Pac-12 Championships, which boasts one of the toughest conference tournament fields in the nation. The Buffs, ranked No. 21 nationally by Golfstat, shot a 2-under-par 286 on Tuesday, leaving them at 582 and seven strokes behind UCLA, the nation’s No. 3-ranked team.
Going into the final round, CU has four of its five players in the top 10 individually, with two freshmen from Queensland, Australia leading the way for the Buffs. Kirsty Hodgkins fired a 2-under-par 70 and stands at even-par 144, good for fourth place, seven strokes behind leader Lilia Vu of UCLA. And Robyn Choi is fifth at 145. Junior Brittany Fan is seventh at 146 and senior Esther Lee ninth at 147.
DU was one of three Colorado-based teams that earned league titles on Tuesday. University of Colorado-Colorado Springs won the NCAA Division II Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference men’s championship by three, and Regis the RMAC women’s by eight.
In the men’s RMAC in Chandler, Ariz., UCCS (at 9-over-par 861) edged Colorado Christian (864), Colorado Mesa (865) and Colorado State-Pueblo (866). Colorado Springs resident and UCCS junior Colin Prater, winner of the 2016 CGA Amateur, claimed the individual crown after a 3-under-par 68 on Tuesday put him at 8-under 205. Second place went to Chase Carlson of Colorado Christian (209 after a closing 66).
In the women’s RMAC, also in Chandler, Regis closed with a tournament-best 303 to prevail by eight over Colorado State-Pueblo. CSU-Pueblo senior Jacquelyn Porman won the individual title by two over Alex Darwin of UCCS. Porman recorded a 3-over-par 147 total.
Women’s Summit League Championship
April 23-25, 2017 (final) in Nebraska City
1. (out of 9 teams) Denver 296-317-293–906
2. Jessica Carty 72-80-72–224
3. Mariell Bruun 75-79-73–227
6. Jessica Dreesbeimdieke 75-81-72–228
7. Sophie Newlove 74-79-76–229
8. Lauren Whyte 75-79-76–230
Women’s Pac-12 Championship
April 24-26, 2017 in Tucson, Ariz.
T2. (out of 11 teams) Colorado 296-286–582
4. Kirsty Hodgkins 74-70–144
5. Robyn Choi 72-73–145
7. Brittany Fan 74-72–146
9. Esther Lee 76-71–147
55. Lauryn Keating 84-86–170
Also
30. Former DU golfer Elyse Smidinger, Oregon State 80-75–155
Men’s RMAC Championship
April 24-25, 2017 (final) in Chandler, Ariz.
Team Scores
1. Colorado-Colorado Springs 283-291-287–861
2. Colorado Christian 284-297-283–864
3. Colorado Mesa 290-289-286–865
4. Colorado State-Pueblo 292-285-289–866
5. Fort Lewis 295-290-285–871
6. Colorado School of Mines 289-290-296–875
7. Regis 296-300-285–881
8. South Dakota School of Mines 316-307-306–929
Top 5 Individuals
1. Colin Prater, UCCS 68-69-68–205
2. Chase Carlson, Colorado Christian 71-72-66–209
3. Jordan McBrayer, Regis 72-75-64–211
4. Jake Ice, CSU-Pueblo 70-69-75–214
4. Hugh Taylor, Fort Lewis 71-73-70–214
For complete results, CLICK HERE.
Women’s RMAC Championship
April 24-25, 2017 (final) in Chandler, Ariz.
Team Scores
1. Regis 313-303–616
2. Colorado State-Pueblo 312-312–625
3. Colorado-Colorado Springs 315-319–634
4. Colorado Mesa 321-320–641
5. Colorado Christian 328-320–648
6. Metro State 333-324–657
7. South Dakota School of Mines & Technology 334-337–671
8. Westminster College (Utah) 346-335–681
9. Fort Lewis 360-341–701
10. Chadron State 364-345–709
11. Black Hills State 358-361–719
12. Adams State 364-361–725
Top 5 Individuals
1. Jacquelyn Porman, CSU-Pueblo 71-76–147
2. Alex Darwin, UCCS 75-74–149
3. Grace Marie Schian, Regis 78-72–150
4. Mary Weinstein, Regis 77-74–151
5. Katrina Mendez, Colorado Christian 76-77–153
5. Jolene Kam, CSU-Pueblo 77-76–153
For complete results, CLICK HERE.
The Pioneers, who have won the last 13 conference championships in which they’ve competed, will go into Tuesday’s final round of the Women’s Summit League Championship in second place, two strokes behind leader South Dakota State.
That’s a far cry from last year, when DU won the title by 52 shots.
After Monday’s windy second round in Nebraska City, the Pioneers sit at 37-over-par 613. South Dakota State took the lead by bettering DU in round 2 by three strokes.
DU senior Jessica Carty, the defending individual champion, remains in second place, three strokes behind leader Megan Mingo of South Dakota State as the two matched second-round 80s. Carty sits at 8-over-par 152.
Meanwhile, in the formidable Women’s Pac-12 Championship in Tucson, Ariz., the University of Colorado is likewise in contention for the title.
The Buffs shot an 8-over-par 296 total in Monday’s opening round, leaving them in a share of second place, six strokes behind nationally third-ranked UCLA. Robyn Choi, a freshman from Australia, shot an even-par 72 to lead the way for CU. She shares third place individually and trails co-leaders Lilia Vu and Bethany Wu of UCLA by one.
Women’s Summit League Championship
April 23-25, 2017 in Nebraska City
2. (out of 9 teams) Denver 296-317–613
2. Jessica Carty 72-80–152
4. Sophie Newlove 74-79–153
7. Mariell Bruun 75-79–154
7. Lauren Whyte 75-79–154
12. Jessica Dreesbeimdieke 75-81–156
Women’s Pac-12 Championship
April 24-26, 2017 in Tucson, Ariz.
T2. (out of 11 teams) Colorado 296
3. Robyn Choi 72
6. Brittany Fan 74
6. Kirsty Hodgkins 74
21. Esther Lee 76
53. Lauryn Keating 84
Also
38. Former DU golfer Elyse Smidinger, Oregon State 80
Women’s RMAC Championship
April 24-25, 2017 in Chandler, Ariz.
Team Scores
1. Colorado State-Pueblo 312
2. Regis 313
3. Colorado-Colorado Springs 315
4. Colorado Mesa 321
5. Colorado Christian 328
6. Metro State 333
7. South Dakota School of Mines & Technology 334
8. Westminster College (Utah) 346
9. Black Hills State 358
10. Fort Lewis 360
11. Adams State 364
11. Chadron State 364
Top 5 Individuals
1. Jacquelyn Porman, CSU-Pueblo 71
2. Alex Darwin, UCCS 75
3. Katrina Mendez, Colorado Christian 76
4. Mary Weinstein, Regis 74
4. Taylor Walters, Colorado Mesa 77
4. Jolene Kam, CSU-Pueblo 77
For complete results, CLICK HERE.
Seeking their first league title since 2010 — and the automatic NCAA Regional berth that would have gone with it — the Rams fell just short of the mark Sunday in Tucson, Ariz.
After going into the final round with a two-stroke lead — and still being ahead with nine holes left — CSU was edged on the final hole and had to settle for a runner-up finish, one stroke behind UNLV, which successfully defended its title. Five teams in the 11-school field finished the 54-hole event at least 14 under par, with UNLV posting an 18-under-par total and Colorado State checking in at 17 under.
CSU and UNLV were tied for the team lead with just the final group of the day left on the course. Unfortunately for the Rams, senior Blake Cannon bogeyed the 470-yard, par-4 18th, leaving CSU one back of UNLV.
Cannon and teammate Colton Yates led the way for the Rams, tying for eighth place at 5-under 211. Colorado resident Jake Staiano was 11th at 212. (April 27 Update: Staiano was subsequently named to the All-Mountain West Conference team.)
Meanwhile, Sunwoo Choi of the Air Force Academy placed sixth individually at 210 as the Falcons were seventh in the team standings.
At the Women’s Summit League Championship in Nebraska City, where the University of Denver is seeking its 14th straight conference title, DU grabbed a one-stroke lead over South Dakota State following the first round.
The Pioneers opened with an 8-over-par 296. Senior Jessica Carty, the defending champion, posted an even-par 72 which left her in second place, three strokes behind Megan Mingo of South Dakota State.
At the Women’s Big Sky Championship in Boulder City, Nev., Northern Colorado wrapped up its season with a fifth-place finish out of the 12-team field. UNC posted a 58-over-par 922 total. Sacramento State won at 900. Baile Winslow led the way for UNC individually, tying for 11th place.
Men’s Mountain West Conference Championship
April 21-23, 2017 (final) in Tucson, Ariz.
2. (out of 11 teams) Colorado State 283-280-284–847
8. Blake Cannon 70-70-71–211
8. Colton Yates 71-71-69–211
11. Jake Staiano 71-70-71–212
20. AJ Ott 71-72-73–216
20. Max Oelfke 74-69-73–216
7. Air Force Academy 296-286-289–871
6. Sunwoo Choi 72-68-70–210
22. Andy Germann 73-74-70–217
36. Joshua Wu 72-71-78–221
49. Dane Hankamer 79-73-76–228
52. Brenden Bone 80-77-73–230
Also
22. Coloradan Tanner Jenson, Utah State 69-73-75–217
38. Coloradan Glenn Workman, Wyoming 72-74-76–222
Women’s Big Sky Championship
April 21-23, 2017 (final) in Boulder City, Nev.
5. (out of 12 teams) Northern Colorado 311-302-309–922
11. Baile Winslow 77-75-78–230
18. Morgan Sahm 78-79-75–232
21. Marisa Hisaki 82-72-79–233
27. Christina Ferrreira 74-76-85–235
45. Kala Keltz 85-79-77–241
Also
34. Coloradan Delaney Elliott, Montana State 81-81-79–241
42. Coloradan Jaylee Tait, Montana State 81-88-74–243
Women’s Summit League Championship
April 23-25, 2017 in Nebraska City
1. (out of 9 teams) Denver 296
2. Jessica Carty 72
3. Sophie Newlove 74
4. Mariell Bruun 75
4. Lauren Whyte 75
4. Jessica Dreesbeimdieke 75
Note: Just prior to the tournament, DU seniors Jessica Carty and Mariell Bruun were named to the All-Summit League first team and junior teammate Lauren Whyte to the second team.
Women’s Big 12 Conference Championship
April 21-23, 2017 (final) in San Antonio, Texas
38. Coloradan Hannah Wood, Oklahoma 80-78-77–235
With DU and Pepperdine matching 4-under-par 284s in Sunday’s final round, the Waves held on for a four-stroke victory in the 18-school team race. The Pioneers finished with a 6-under-par 858 total, giving them two runner-up finishes in three tournaments this season. Colorado State placed fifth at 875 after a strong 281 final-round score, while Northern Colorado (910) was 14th.
DU sophomore Sophie Newlove notched the first individual victory of her college career as the English golfer closed with a 2-under-par 70 to post a 6-under 210 total, good for a two-shot win. She played her final seven holes in 3 under par. (Newlove is pictured above with coach Lindsay Kuhle in a DU photo.)
Also finishing in the top 10 individually were DU’s Jessica Hardy and CSU’s Katrina Prendergast (tied for fourth place at 214) and Denver’s Mariell Bruun (seventh place, 215).
Ron Moore Women’s Intercollegiate
Oct. 7-9, 2016 at Highlands Ranch GC
2. (out of 18 teams) Denver 289-285-284–858
1. Sophie Newlove 69-71-70–210
4. Jessica Carty 73-71-70–214
7. Mariell Bruun 72-69-74–215
23. Camille Enright 75-74-70–219
27. Jessica Dreesbeimdieke (individual) 71-76-73–220
44. Sonya Knebel (individual) 75-79-70–224
55. Lauren Whyte 75-74-77–226
57. Kathi Baratta (individual) 75-77-75–227
90. Maggie Cowart (individual) 81-79-78–238
5. Colorado State 292-302-281–875
4. Katrina Prendergast 68-77-69–214
12. Brianna Becker 74-73-70–217
12. Ellen Secor 72-76-69–217
57. Sarah Archuleta 78-76-73–227
65. Caroline Reiners (individual) 76-77-76–229
75. Jessica Sloot (individual) 78-79-74–231
93. Elisabeth Rau 82-83-74–239
14. Northern Colorado 308-308-294–910
50. Morgan Sahm 77-76-72–225
57. Marisa Hisaki 76-77-74–227
65. Kala Keltz 76-77-76–229
65. Janet Yeo 79-78-72–229
100. Hanna Atkins (individual) 87-77-83–247
101. Christina Ferreira 90-80-82–252
Also
65. Coloradan Erin Sargent, Wyoming 77-75-77–229
88. Coloradan Sarah Hankins, Wyoming 76-77-82–235
Lindsay Kuhle was named the league’s coach of the year for the third consecutive time, while junior Jessica Carty earned women’s golfer of the year honors, and freshman Kathi Baratta landed the newcomer of the year award. (Kuhle and Baratta are pictured lining up a putt last fall.)
In April, Kuhle’s Pioneers won their league tournament for the 13th consecutive year, and Carty claimed top individual honors, tying the tournament record with a 217 total for 54 holes.
As a team, DU recorded a 52-stroke victory in the Summit League tourney.
(June 9 update: Also this week, the DU women announced that Lauren Whyte of Scotland, a transfer from Baylor, will join the team in the fall. Whyte competed for the Bears when they finished NCAA runner-up in 2015.)
]]>Not that there was much suspense after each of the first two rounds, but the Pioneers extended their remarkable streak of conference championships to 13 on Wednesday by winning the Summit League title in Nebraska City.
The run includes three Summit League championships, nine in the Sun Belt Conference and one in the WAC.
A year after prevailing by 18 shots for the Summit title, the Pios steamrolled the nine-team field in winning by 52 strokes. Denver finished with a 14-over-par 878 total for three days.
It was DU’s second team victory of the season, and this one assured the Pioneers another berth in the NCAA regionals.
Meanwhile, Jessica Carty (pictured), a junior from Northern Ireland, claimed her first individual college title after leading wire-to-wire. With a 1-over-par 217 total, she prevailed by four strokes over teammate Mariell Bruun. In fact, all five DU players finished in the top eight individually.
Elsewhere in women’s league championships on Wednesday:
— Colorado State freshman Katrina Prendergast finished runner-up individually at the Mountain West Conference tournament in Rancho Mirago, Calif. By going 71-73-73 for a 1-over-par 217 total, Prendergast ended up five strokes behind champion Alexandra Kaui of UNLV. As a team, CSU placed sixth in the nine-team field.
— University of Colorado senior Alexis Keating held the outright lead at the Pac-12 tournament halfway through Wednesday’s final round in Pleasanton, Calif., but four bogeys over the final eight holes forced her to settle for fifth place overall.
It was Keating’s second top-five finish in the last two years at the Pac-12s, which is saying something considering it’s one of the powerhouse conferences in women’s golf.
Keating, who was also fifth at the Pac-12 meet at Boulder Country Club last year, posted a 2-over-par 74 total on Wednesday, leaving her at 6-under-par 210 overall, five strokes back of champion Linnea Strom of Arizona State.
CU finished fifth in the team race, matching its best showing in the Pac-12 Championships.
After the tournament, CU junior Esther Lee was named to the All-Pac-12 first team for the second consecutive year. She leads the Buffs with a 72.48 scoring average.
— Coloradan Jaylee Tait, a sophomore from Montana State, placed third individually Wednesday at the Big Sky Championship after taking the lead into the final round in Boulder City, Nev. Tait closed with a 3-over-par 75, giving her an even-par 216 total, four behind the top players. Northern Colorado tied for eighth place in the team competition.
Women’s Summit League Championship
April 18-20, 2016 (final) in Nebraska City, Neb.
1. (out of 9 teams) Denver 295-283-300–878
1. Jessica Carty 69-72-76–217; 2. Mariell Bruun 76-71-74–221; 3. Jessica Dreesbeimdieke 78-71-73–222; 5. Kathi Baratta 74-74-77–225; 8. Sophie Newlove 76-69-83–228.
Women’s Pac-12 Conference Championship
April 18-20, 2016 (final) in Pleasanton, Calif.
5. (out of 11 teams) Colorado 286-284-294–864
5. Alexis Keating 70-66-74–210; 12. Brittany Fan 72-73-70–215; 18. Esther Lee 70-73-73–216; 45. Gillian Vance 75-72-77–224; 50. Natalie Vivaldi 73-73-79–226.
Women’s Mountain West Conference Championship
April 18-20, 2016 (final) in Rancho, Mirage, Calif.
6. (out of 9 teams) Colorado State 309-305-307–921
2. Katrina Prendergast 71-73-73–217; 27. Sarah Archuleta 77-75-79–231; 32. Mikayla Tatman 81-79-74–234; 37. Brianna Becker 80-78-81–239; 38. Elisabeth Rau 81-79-81–241.
Also
40. Coloradan Kathleen Kershisnik, Wyoming 80-83-79–242
Women’s Big Sky Conference Championship
April 18-20, 2016 (final) in Boulder City, Nev.
8. (out of 12 teams) Northern Colorado 302-299-301–902
21. Janet Yeo 76-73-74–223; 25. Amanda Myers 82-69-73–224; 37. Kala Keltz 75-80-75–230; 44. Nicole Okada 75-78-79–232; 49. Baile Winslow 76-79-80–235.
Also
3. Coloradan Jaylee Tait, Montana State 69-72-75–216
Meanwhile, University of Colorado senior Alexis Keating (pictured) shot a 6-under-par 66 and moved within a stroke of the individual lead at the formidable Pac-12 Conference tournament, and Jessica Carty continued to hold the top spot at the Summit League Championship as her University of Denver team all but assured itself its 13th consecutive conference title. Another local setting the pace in league championships is Coloradan Jaylee Tait of Montana State (Big Sky).
— The Metro State women defeated Colorado-Colorado Springs 4-0-1 in Tuesday’s title match of the RMAC Championship in Avondale, Ariz. Winning individual matches for MSU on Tuesday were Allie Johnston, Valerie Cruz, Dani Look and Lindsey Gullikson. On Monday, Taylor Walters of Colorado Mesa earned the individual title after rounds of 72-71.
— In the men’s RMAC title match in Goodyear, Ariz., CU-Colorado Springs defeated the Colorado School of Mines 3-1-1. Winning their matches for UCCS on Tuesday were Colin Prater, Zach Berhost and Chris Reina. CU-Colorado Springs won the regular-season RMAC title before also prevailing in the medal-match format at the RMAC tournament. Tuesday’s victory gives UCCS an automatic berth in the NCAA Division II West/South Central Region Championships. Meanwhile, claiming the individual RMAC title on Tuesday was Western New Mexico’s Calum Hill (69-67–136).
— At the women’s Pac-12 meet in Pleasanton, Calif., Keating made a big move with a seven-birdie 66, which left her a shot behind Southern California’s Gabriella Then going into Wednesday’s final round. Keating placed fifth at the 2015 Pac-12 meeting, shooting a final-round 66 at Boulder Country Club. On Tuesday, CU carded a sub-par team score for the second straight day — in this case a 4-under-par 284, which gives the Buffs a 6-under 570 total, leaving them in fifth place.
— At the women’s Summit League tournament in Nebraska City, Denver opened up a 40-stroke lead in its quest for consecutive conference title No. 13. DU shot a 5-under-par 283 as a team on Tuesday. The Pioneers’ five players are all within the top six individually, with Carty (69-72–141) leading the way by four strokes.
— At the women’s Big Sky tournament in Boulder City, Nev., Tait kept the top individual spot as an even-par 72 left her with a 3-under 141 total and a one-stroke advantage going into the final round.
— And at the women’s MWC championship in Rancho Mirage, Calif., freshman Katrina Prendergast of Colorado State sits in second place, one stroke back of UNLV’s Alexandra Kaui. Prendergast fired a 1-over-par 73, leaving her at even-par 144.
Here are the results for local teams and players at various conference championships:
Men’s RMAC Championship
April 17-19, 2016 (final) in Goodyear, Ariz.
TEAM
Title Match
CU-Colorado Springs def. Colorado School of Mines 3-1-1
Chris Reina, UCCS def. Taylor MacKay 71-75
Mike McNulty, Mines def. Kyle Southard 72-76
Zach Berhost, UCCS def. Conrad Smith 73-80
Zach Tripp, UCCS tied with George Markham 75-75
Colin Prater, UCCS def. Nick Berry 69-82
Semifinals
CU-Colorado Springs def. Colorado Mesa 3-2
Colorado School of Mines def. Colorado Christian 3-2
Quarterfinals
CU-Colorado Springs def. Regis 3-2
Colorado Mesa def. Western New Mexico 3-2
Colorado Christian def. Fort Lewis 3-2
Colorado School of Mines def. CSU-Pueblo 2-1-2
Top 5 Individual Finishers
1. Calum Hill, Western New Mexico 69-67–136
2. (tie) Colin Prater, UCCS 72-69–141
Jacob Allenback, CSU-Pueblo 76-65–141
4. Luke Condon, Colorado Chritian 73-69–142
5. Chris Reina, UCCS 75-71–146
Women’s RMAC Championship
April 17-19, 2016 (final) in Avondale, Ariz.
TEAM
Title Match
Metro State def. Colorado-Colorado Springs 4-0-1
Allie Johnston, MSU def. Forre Zook 71-75
Valerie Cruz, MSU def. Amanda Crites 73-77
Dani Look, MSU def. Raquell Castillo 80-86
Cha Cha Willhoite, MSU tied with Timbrelee McNair 75-75
Lindsey Gullikson, MSU def. Alex Darwin 78-79
Third-Place Match
CSU-Pueblo def. Western New Mexico 4-0-1
Top 5 Individual Finishers
1. Taylor Walters, Colorado Mesa, 72-71–143
2. Alex Darwin, Colo-Colo Springs, 73-72–145
3. (tie) Courtney Ewing, CSU-Pueblo 74-73–147
Lindsey Gullikson, Metro State 72-75–147
5. Shelby Turner, Western New Mexico 76-72–148
Women’s Summit League Championship
April 18-20, 2016 in Nebraska City, Neb.
1. (out of 9 teams) Denver 295-283–578
1. Jessica Carty 69-72–141; 2. Sophie Newlove 76-69–145; 4. Mariell Bruun 76-71–147; 5. Kathi Baratta 74-74–148; 6. Jessica Dreesbeimdieke 78-71–149.
Women’s Mountain West Conference Championship
April 18-20, 2016 in Rancho, Mirage, Calif.
6. (out of 9 teams) Colorado State 309-305–614
2. Katrina Prendergast 71-73–144; 15. Sarah Archuleta 77-75–152; 33. Brianna Becker 80-78–158; 36. Elisabeth Rau 81-79–160; 36. Mikayla Tatman 81-79–160.
Also
40. Coloradan Kathleen Kershisnik, Wyoming 80-83–163
Women’s Pac-12 Conference Championship
April 18-20, 2016 in Pleasanton, Calif.
5. (out of 11 teams) Colorado 286-284–570
2. Alexis Keating 70-66–136; 18. Esther Lee 70-73–143; 26. Brittany Fan 72-73–145; 39. Natalie Vivaldi 73-73–147; 39. Gillian Vance 75-72–147.
Women’s Big Sky Conference Championship
April 18-20, 2016 in Boulder City, Nev.
7. (out of 12 teams) Northern Colorado 302-299–601
20. Janet Yeo 76-73–149; 26. Amanda Myers 82-69–151; 31. Nicole Okada 75-78–153; 37. Kala Keltz 75-80–155; 37. Baile Winslow 76-79–155.
Also
1. Coloradan Jaylee Tait, Montana State 69-72–141
Setting the pace in the 54-hole events, that will continue through Wednesday:
— Coloradan Jaylee Tait, a sophomore at Montana State, shot a 3-under-par 69 and leads the women’s Big Sky Conference Championship in Boulder City, Nev., by two. Tait (pictured), a 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur qualifier, made six birdies on Monday.
— The University of Denver, seeking its 13th consecutive conference title, is off to a very good start. The Pioneers, with a 7-over-par 295 round in the women’s Summit League tournament in Nebraska City, leads second-place Oral Roberts by 20 shots with two rounds remaining. And DU’s Jessica Carty fired a 3-under-par 69 and leads the individual competition by four shots over South Dakota’s Brenna Lervick.
— Then at the women’s Mountain West Conference Championship in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Colorado State freshman Katrina Prendergast shares the individual lead after round 1. Prendergast carded a 1-under-par 71 to earn a tie for the top spot with Georgia Lacey of San Diego State and Gudrun Bjorgvinsdottir of Fresno State.
Here are the scores for local players and teams:
Women’s Mountain West Conference Championship
April 18-20, 2016 in Rancho, Mirage, Calif.
6. (out of 9 teams) Colorado State 309
T1. Katrina Prendergast 71; 19. Sarah Archuleta 77; 34. Brianna Becker 80; 37. Elisabeth Rau 81; 37. Mikayla Tatman 81.
Also
34. Coloradan Kathleen Kershisnik, Wyoming 80.
Women’s Big Sky Conference Championship
April 18-20, 2016 in Boulder City, Nev.
5. (out of 12 teams) Northern Colorado 302
23. Kala Keltz 75; 23. Nicole Okada 75; 28. Baile Winslow 76; 28. Janet Yeo 76; 46. Amanda Myers 82.
Also
1. Coloradan Jaylee Tait, Montana State 69.
Women’s Pac-12 Conference Championship
April 18-20, 2016 in Pleasanton, Calif.
4. (out of 11 teams) Colorado 286
5. Esther Lee 70; 5. Alexis Keating 70; 22. Brittany Fan 72; 39. Natalie Vivaldi 73; 45. Gillian Vance 75.
Women’s Summit League Championship
April 18-20, 2016 in Nebraska City, Neb.
1. (out of 9 teams) Denver 295
1. Jessica Carty 69; 3. Kathi Baratta 74; 5. Mariell Bruun 76; 5. Sophie Newlove 76; 10. Jessica Dreesbeimdieke 78.
Lindsay Kuhle has accomplished plenty in golf in her native state of Colorado, including winning a couple of state amateur championships, the CWGA Junior Stroke Play in 2000 and the CWGA Stroke Play in 2005. And she was an assistant coach when the University of Denver finished sixth and fifth in the NCAA Championship finals, though those events were obviously held out of state.
One thing she hadn’t done, though, is win a golf tournament in Colorado as a college head coach.
But on Sunday, she checked that off the list.
Kuhle, head coach of the DU women’s team since early 2013, celebrated among friends, family and co-workers Sunday as the Pioneers claimed the team championship in the ninth annual Ron Moore Women’s Intercollegiate at Highlands Ranch Golf Club.
The Pios rallied from a three-shot deficit heading into the final round to post a five-stroke victory in the 18-team field. Aside from conference championships, it was DU’s first team title since the 2009 Moore Intercollegiate. That was also the last time Denver won a team title at a Colorado-based tournament.
All in all, it was a nice way to close out the fall portion of the schedule for DU and Kuhle, whose daughter, Lucy, turned 1 year old on Saturday and happily spent the weekend at Highlands Ranch GC. (Lucy is pictured at left with mom Lindsay on Sunday.)
“It means a lot,” Kuhle said. “To get a win, especially in front of all of our friends and families at our home course is so special.
“I’m so proud of the way the girls competed. We had the best energy and attitude and we were so relaxed, and I think that tells you a lot about how you play good golf. If you’re having fun, it’s so important. That’s something I preach. No matter how you’re playing to act like you’re playing well, to also have a positive attitude, and wave to your teammates to be encouraging. I think that really helped us get this win.”
The victory was the fourth for Kuhle since she took over as head coach, on the heels of a WAC title in 2013 and Summit League championships in 2014 and ’15.
On Sunday, Denver posted the low round of the day, a 2-under-par 286, as all the DU golfers who were competing for the team score shot between 70 and 73 despite windy conditions.
With a 2-under 862 total for three rounds, the Pioneers finished five ahead of San Francisco and eight in front of Washington State.
Colorado State recorded its best tournament score — 872 — since 2009 in placing fourth. Northern Colorado (893) was 11th.
Individually, DU freshman Kathi Baratta and CSU sophomore Allie Andersen shared fifth place at 1-under-par 215, seven behind champion Kassidy Teare of Long Beach State. For Andersen, it was the best college tournament score she’s recorded.
As for Baratta (pictured at top and at left with Kuhle), she’s shaping up to be a real find for Denver. Coming from the Austrian national team, she agreed in June to sign a letter of intent with DU site unseen, after being recruited by Kuhle to fill the roster spot vacated when Elyse Smidinger transferred to Oregon State. Baratta had never set foot in Colorado before coming to Denver in late August.
The Austrian couldn’t compete in the Pioneers’ first tournament because the school doesn’t allow freshmen to miss their first week of classes, but she’s certainly shown her stuff since. In her first two college tournaments, she’s finished eighth in an event at Red Sky Golf Club in Wolcott and fifth on Sunday. In her first month as a college golfer, she was named the Summit League Women’s Player of the Month for September.
“I came here and I really just wanted to be an asset to the team,” she said Sunday. “My target was to qualify for every tournament, then try my best to support the team. If you can earn two top-10s in your first two college tournaments, that’s a bonus. I’m personally very happy with the result.”
And seeing her team claim a championship so soon after arriving was satisfying as well.
“I’m really happy,” she said. “It was only the second tournament I played, so it’s great to actually earn a victory. The whole team played great. No one had a bad score today. It was a beautiful day to finish what we started. The motivation went from the older girls to us freshmen. We really wanted to win. We knew we could win.”
DU has one of the more diverse college rosters you’ll find. Five of the Pioneers’ seven players are from oversees. Besides Baratta (Austria), there’s fellow freshman Sophie Newlove (England), juniors Mariell Bruun (Norway) and Jessica Carty (Northern Ireland, who would have had a high individual finish Sunday had she not inadvertently signed for an incorrect score on Saturday), and sophomore Jessica Dreesbeimdieke (Namibia in southwest Africa). And then there are two Americans, senior Isabel Southard (Sharon, Mass., who was sidelined this weekend due to a back injury) and sophomore Aleana Groenhout (Kirkland, Wash).
“I’m just trying to get the best student-athlete in the world,” Kuhle said of her recruiting approach. “My assistant (Daniela Lendl, daughter of former tennis great Ivan Lendl) and I will go over to Europe, but we’re looking for someone who really cares about school and golf.”
On Sunday, Baratta finished fifth individually, while Groenhout was 12th and Newlove was 17th after a final-round 70.
“They fit right in,” Kuhle said of her freshmen, Baratta and Newlove. “We didn’t skip a beat at all in the transition from losing a couple of (players) from last year to this year.”
For her part, in choosing DU, Baratta was attracted to the surroundings and climate in Colorado, which are not so different from Austria.
“If you look around, it’s beautiful here,” she said. “I decided if I want to go to the States, them I’m not going to go somewhere it’s 365 (days-per-year) heat. I can’t handle that, so Colorado was similar to home, so that’s why I came here. It basically feels like home. It’s really great.”
And Kuhle feels fortunate to have landed such a quality player just months before the season started.
“To get someone like that, I think there is some luck in that,” Kuhle said.
Ron Moore Women’s Intercollegiate
Oct. 9-11, 2015 (final) at Par-72 Highlands Ranch GC
1. (out of 18 teams) Denver 282-294-286–862
5. Kathi Baratta 71-71-73–215; 12. Aleana Groenhout 74-70-72–216; 17. Sophie Newlove 73-76-70–219; 30. Mariell Bruun 72-77-73–222; Jessica Carty 66-DQ-71. Competing as individual: 37. Jessica Dreesbeimdieke 67-74-83–224.
4. Colorado State 293-290-289–872
5. Allie Andersen 70-71-74–215; 17. Elisabeth Rau 74-70-74–215; 17. Katrina Prendergast 73-73-73–219; 37. Brianna Becker 78-77-69–224; 46. Mikayla Tatman 76-76-73–225. Competing as individual: 50. Sarah Archuleta 74-77-75–226.
11. Northern Colorado 293-300-300–893
22. Amanda Myers 71-73-76–220; 32. Kala Keltz 70-73-80–223; 46. Christina Ferrreira 74-76-75–225; 74. Baile Winslow 78-78-75–231; 89. Janet Yeo 86-78-74–238.
Also
22. Jamie Oleksiew, Colorado 72-72-76–220
25. Lauryn Keating, Colorado 73-76-72–221
32. Coloradan Bryce Schroeder, Wichita State 71-76-76–223
37. Coloradan Taylor Dorans, Wyoming 77-75-72–224
37. Gillian Vance, Colorado 74-72-78–224
68. Coloradan Jaylee Tait, Montana State 78-75-77–230
82. Coloradan Kathleen Kershisnik, Wyoming 78-77-80–235