CU women’s golf team takes title

The CU women’s golf team is determined to make this season one of its best. The No. 17 Buffs won the 2011 Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational, only their seventh title in school history.

CU won by two-strokes and shot the best team round on the final day, a 13-over par 301 to finish the 54-hole tournament at 32-over par 896.

The event was hosted by the University of Washington and included six Pac-12 teams in the 12-team field. This was the first victory for the Buffs in any sport with a Pac-12-dominated field since Colorado joined the conference.

“I’m really proud of this team,” CU head coach Anne Kelly said in a news release. “Each win is different and they’re all great, but to win this event at a Pac-12 site with half of the teams from the Pac-12, it’s a big deal.”

(CU Independent illustration/Josh Shettler)

The Buffs narrowly beat four other Pac-12 teams. No. 34 Oregon finished just two-strokes behind, while No. 21 Washington and No. 16 California tied for third. Oregon State finished fifth.

Kelly said her team had some good rounds, but overall could have played better.

“The finish we had as a team definitely won the tournament for us,” Kelly said in the release. “And the exciting thing is there is still room for improvement. It’s exciting and so great to get a Pac-12 win and all that. But we didn’t have our ‘A Game.’”

Sophomore Alex Stewart was the Buffs’ top performer. She shot an even par 72 in the final round and finished in fourth place individually, 1-over par 217. She played the final 12 holes at 2-under par and made a birdie on the 17^th hole.

“I knew where I was individually, what I had to do, but I didn’t know anything about the team standings,” Stewart said. “Which is probably better, I could just play my own game and not worry about any extra pressure.”

Sophomore Jenny Coleman also finished in the top-10. She placed 10^th, finishing with a 10-over par 226. Coleman also had a birdie on the 17^th hole, helping the Buffs secure their win.

“Today, Jenny and Alex both really saved us,” Kelly said. “Jenny played rock solid.”

The Buffs will take some time off before preparing for the Pac-12/SEC Challenge at the Holston Hills Country Club in Knoxville, Tenn. from Oct. 21-23.

In the most recent Golfstat rankings, the two conferences have 10 of the top 20 teams in the country.

“Every team from both leagues will be there,” Kelly said.  “It will be the best field we’ve ever played in, including NCAA Regionals.”

Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Marlee Horn at marlee.horn@colorado.edu.