That is, preschool, kindergarten or elementary school.

All good things must come to an end, and so it was Tuesday with the Pioneers’ remarkable run of consecutive league titles. Despite a valiant rally in the final round of the Summit League tournament in Nebraska City, DU fell four strokes shy of the title, finishing second out of eight teams.

That means Denver’s streak of conference team championships ended at 14. The last time the DU women finished anywhere but first in a league tournament was in 2003. Since then, the Pioneers have won nine Sun Belt championships, one in the WAC and four in the Summit League.

North Dakota State, which led by 13 strokes after two rounds, saw that advantage slip to two on the back nine, but steadied the ship to end DU’s run. NDSU finished with a 24-over-par 888 total, four ahead of the Pioneers.

The league victory brings with it an automatic NCAA Regional berth, but DU is still expected to make the field after notching two team victories in the fall.

While Denver came up short in the team race, there was a silver lining on Tuesday as DU junior Sophie Newlove (pictured in DU photo) won the individual title out of a field of 40. She went 71-75-71 for a 1-over-par 217 total, then got up and down from 30 feet for par to win a three-way playoff. Also at 217 were Natalie Roth of North Dakota State and Teresa Toscano of South Dakota State, who both bogeyed in the playoff.

In all, three DU players finished in the top six individually. Joining Newlove were Mary Weinstein (fourth place, 223) and Lauren Whyte (sixth place, 224).

— In the Men’s RMAC Championship, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs senior Colin Prater from Colorado Springs won his second consecutive individual league title on Tuesday in Chandler, Ariz.

Prater, winner of the CGA Amateur Championship in 2016, posted rounds of 63-69-67 for a 14-under-par 199 total and prevailed by four strokes for the second straight year, this time over George Markham of Colorado School of Mines.

Colorado School of Mines claimed the team title by 1 shot over Regis, the leader or co-leader after each of the first two rounds.

— In the Women’s RMAC tournament, Julia Baroth of Denver, a freshman for the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, cruised to a five-stroke individual victory in Chandler, Ariz.

Baroth carded scores of 72-71-74 for a 1-over-par 217 total.

UCCS also easily won the team title as its 29-over-par 893 total was good for a 24-shot victory.

— In the Women’s Pac-12 meet in Seattle, the University of Colorado finished sixth out of 11 teams. The Buffs’ 17-over-par 881 total ended up 21 strokes behind champion UCLA. Next up for CU will be an NCAA Regional tournament.

Senior Brittany Fan led CU individually on Tuesday, finishing in seventh place at 1-under-par 215 (70-71-74), seven strokes out of the lead.

— In the Men’s Pac-12 tournament, CU is in position to post its best finish in the league meet since entering the Pac-12 in 2011.

Through Tuesday’s third round of the 72-hole event, the Buffs sit in third place out of a dozen teams. Should CU remain there — or move up — it will have its best Pac-12 tournament showing. The Buffs placed fourth in the Pac-12 meet in 2014.

Colorado stands at 19-under-par 1046, leaving the Buffs eight strokes behind tourament-leading Southern California and three back of second-place Arizona State. Individually, Coloradan Ross Macdonald and German Yannik Paul are leading the way for CU as they share fourth place at 8-under-par 205. Justin Suh of USC leads at 197.

Men’s Pac-12 Championship
April 23-25, 2018 in Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.
3. (out of 12 teams) Colorado 348-351-347–1046
4. Yannik Paul 68-69-68–205
4. Ross Macdonald 69-69-67–205
12. John Souza 70-70-68–208
48. Daniel O’Loughlin 68-77-72–217
52. Spencer Painton 74-72-72–218
55. Trevor Olkowski 73-71-75–219
Also
48. Coloradan Kyler Dunkle, Utah 76-67-74–217 

Women’s Summit League Championship
April 22-24, 2018 (final) in Nebraska City
2. (out of 8 teams) Denver 301-292-299–892
1. Sophie Newlove 71-75-71–217
4. Mary Weinstein 79-71-73–223
6. Lauren Whyte 75-72-77–224
15. Jessica Dreesbeimdieke 77-74-80–231
21. Camille Enright 78-80-78–236

Women’s Pac-12 Championship
April 22-24, 2018 (final) in Seattle
6. (out of 11 teams) Colorado 291-291-299–881
7. Brittany Fan 70-71-74–215
11. Robyn Choi 71-72-74–217
11. Kirsty Hodgkins 75-73-69–217
47. Alisha Lau 75-75-82–232
54. Gillian Vance 82-80-83–245

Men’s RMAC Championship
April 22-24, 2018 (final) in Chandler, Ariz.

TEAM STANDINGS
1. Colorado School of Mines 276-285-278–839
2. Regis 272-288-280–840
3. Colorado State-Pueblo 276-284-286–846
4. Colorado-Colorado Springs 281-286-282–849
5. Colorado Christian 292-287-281–860
6. Fort Lewis 294-287-285–866
7. Colorado Mesa 293-296-280–869
8. South Dakota School of Mines 320-323-335–978
TOP 5 INDIVIDUALS
1. Colin Prater, UCCS 63-69-67–199
2. George Markham, CO School of Mines 67-68-68–203
T3. Tyler Zhang, Regis 68-70-70–208
T3. Jack Duguid, UCCS 68-71-69–208
T5. Neil Tillman, CSU-Pueblo 67-77-65–209
T5. Tim Amundson, CO School of Mines 71-70-68–209

Women’s RMAC Championship
April 22-24, 2018 (final) in Chandler, Ariz.
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Colorado-Colorado Springs 293-302-297–892
T2. Colorado State-Pueblo 305-307-305–917
T2. Colorado Mesa 307-311-299–917
4. Regis 315-311-319–945
5. Metro State 323-311-314–948
6. Fort Lewis 327-326-330–983
7. Colorado Christian 339-338-342–1019
8. Black Hills State 351-366-345–1062
9. South Dakota School of Mines 364-341-365–1070
10. Adams State 353-378-366–1097
11. Chadron State 394-366-358–1118
TOP 5 INDIVIDUALS
1. Julia Baroth, Colorado-Colorado Springs 72-71-74–217
2. Alex Darwin, Colorado-Colorado Springs 73-73-76–222
T3. Kelsey Thompson, Regis 74-73-77–224
T3. Karen Valcarce, Westminter Coll. (Utah) 71-80-73–224
T5. Courtney Ewing, CSU-Pueblo 73-74-78–225
T5. McKenna Vanko, Colorado-Colorado Springs 75-78-72–225
 

DU men’s head coach Erik Billinger announced the cancelation of the second annual Paintbrush Invitational, where all five Division I Colorado-based men’s golf teams were scheduled to compete: DU, the University of Colorado, Colorado State, the University of Northern Colorado and the Air Force Academy.
   
The weather forecast calls for snow and a high around 32 on Monday in Parker, where two rounds were scheduled, while the final 18 had been set for Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the DU women’s team fell into second place after Saturday’s second round of the Ron Moore Intercollegiate at Highlands Ranch Golf Club, but trails leader New Mexico by just three strokes heading into Sunday’s final round.

The Pioneers, who won this event in 2015 and finished second last year, posted a 6-over-par 294 total on Saturday, leaving them at 1-over 577 overall. The University of Northern Colorado is in seventh place out of 14 teams, at 10-over 586.
   
DU’s Sophie Newlove, the defending individual champion, is pacing the Pioneers at 4-under-par 140, which leaves her in third place, three strokes behind leader Patricia Wong of Pepperdine.
   
Joining Newlove in a tie for third place is Coloradan Morgan Sahm (pictured) of UNC, who has gone 69-71, like her DU counterpart.
   
The tournament will conclude with a single round on Sunday.

Ron Moore Women’s Intercollegiate
Oct. 6-8, 2017 at Highlands Ranch GC
2. Denver 283-294–577
3. Sophie Newlove 69-71–140
19. Mary Weinstein 71-75–146
19. Jessica Dreesbeimdieke 72-74–146
28. Camille Enright 71-76–147
28. Lauren Whyte 73-74–147

7. Northern Colorado 289-297–586
3. Morgan Sahm 69-71–140
11. Beah Cruz 69-74–143
41. Marisa Hisaki 73-76–149
58. Nicole Polivchak 78-76–154
Hanna Atkins 80-DQ
71. Aili Bundy (competing only as individual) 77-83–160
79. Christina Ferreira (competing only as individual) 83-82–165

14. Denver B Team 309-323–632
62. Maggie Cowart 74-81–155
64. Anni Heck 76-80–156
66. Sonya Knebel 78-79–157
77. Caroline Klemp 81-83–164

Also
17. Coloradan Erin Sargent, Wyoming 70-75–145
75. Coloradan Sarah Hankins, Wyoming 77-84–161
76. Coloradan Jordan Remley, Wyoming 79-84–163
 

The Pioneers, coming off a team victory last week at the Golfweek Conference Challenge in Wolcott, posted a 5-under-par 283 total, leaving them in a tie with New Mexico. DU won the Ron Moore title in 2015 and placed second last year. Northern Colorado, the other Colorado-based school competing, shares fifth place out of 14 teams, at 289.

Two players who grew up in Colorado are in the top 10 individually through one round of the 54-hole tournament: Morgan Sahm of UNC (3-under-par 69, fourth place) and Erin Sargent of Wyoming (70, seventh place). Also in the top 10 are defending champion Sophie Newlove of DU and Beah Cruz of UNC (both at 69).

Ingrid Gutierrez of New Mexico shot a 6-under-par 66 to take the individual lead after round 1.

The tournament will continue through Sunday.

Ron Moore Women’s Intercollegiate
Oct. 6-8, 2017 at Highlands Ranch GC
T1. Denver 283
4. Sophie Newlove 69
11. Mary Weinstein 71
11. Camille Enright 71
19. Jessica Dreesbeimdieke 72
29. Lauren Whyte 73

5. Northern Colorado 289
4. Beah Cruz 69
4. Morgan Sahm 69
29. Marisa Hisaki 73
63. Nicole Polivchak 78
71. Hanna Atkins 80
59. Aili Bundy (competing only as individual) 77
78. Christina Ferreira (competing only as individual) 83

14. Denver B Team 309
38. Maggie Cowart 74
53. Annie Heck 76
63. Sonya Knebel 78
72. Caroline Klemp 81

Also
7. Coloradan Erin Sargent, Wyoming 70
59. Coloradan Sarah Hankins, Wyoming 77
68. Coloradan Jordan Remley, Wyoming 79
 

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

With just Sunday’s round remaining, DU stands at 2-under-par 574 overall, while Pepperdine is at 570.

One player from each of the top two teams share the top spot individually. Denver’s Sophie Newlove (69-71) and Pepperdine’s Hira Naveed (70-70) are at 4-under-par 140 going into the final round. DU’s Mariell Bruun is one back, in third place, after second-round 69.

Sunday’s final round begins with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.

Ron Moore Women’s Intercollegiate
Oct. 7-9, 2016 at Highlands Ranch GC

2. (out of 18 teams) Denver 289-285–574
T1. Sophie Newlove 69-71–140
3. Mariell Bruun 72-69–141
7. Jessica Carty 73-71–144
17. Jessica Dreesbeimdieke (individual) 71-76–147
34. Lauren Whyte 75-74–149
34. Camille Enright 75-74–149
50. Kathi Baratta (individual) 75-77–152
71. Sonya Knebel (individual) 75-79–154
91. Maggie Cowart (individual) 81-79–160

7. Colorado State 292-302–594
11. Katrina Prendergast 68-77–145
17. Brianna Becker 74-73–147
26. Ellen Secor 72-76–148
57. Caroline Reiners (individual) 76-77–153
71. Sarah Archuleta 78-76–154
83. Jessica Sloot (individual) 78-79–157
98. Elisabeth Rau 82-83–165

17. Northern Colorado 308-308–616
57. Kala Keltz 76-77–153
57. Marisa Hisaki 76-77–153
57. Morgan Sahm 77-76–153
83. Janet Yeo 79-78–157
97. Hanna Atkins (individual) 87-77–164
102. Christina Ferreira 90-80–170

Also
50. Coloradan Erin Sargent, Wyoming 77-75–152
57. Coloradan Sarah Hankins, Wyoming 76-77–153

With an 8-under-par 280 total, Pepperdine leads the way in the 54-hole tournament, while DU is at 289 and CSU at 292. Northern Colorado is 17th at 308.

CSU sophomore Katrina Prentergast (pictured) is setting the pace individually following a five-birdie, 4-under-par 68. DU’s Sophie Newlove shares second place at 69.

The tournament will continue through Sunday.

Ron Moore Women’s Intercollegiate
Oct. 7-9, 2016 at Highlands Ranch GC

2. (out of 18 teams) Denver 289
2. Sophie Newlove 69
11. Jessica Dreesbeimdieke (individual) 71
13. Mariell Bruun 72
20. Jessica Carty 73
38. Lauren Whyte 75
38. Sonya Knebel (individual) 75
38. Kathi Baratta (individual) 75
38. Camille Enright 75
93. Maggie Cowart (individual) 81

3. Colorado State 292
1. Katrina Prendergast 68
13. Ellen Secor 72
29. Brianna Becker 74
52. Caroline Reiners (individual) 76
75. Jessica Sloot (individual) 78
75. Sarah Archuleta 78
96. Elisabeth Rau 82

17. Northern Colorado 308
52. Kala Keltz 76
52. Marisa Hisaki 76
67. Morgan Sahm 77
84 Janet Yeo 79
101. Hanna Atkins (individual) 87
102. Christina Ferreira 90

Also
52. Coloradan Sarah Hankins, Wyoming 76
67. Coloradan Erin Sargent, Wyoming 77

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