BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Utah Valley University women's golf team moved up on spot on the final day to finish the season-opening Valley Invitational with a seventh-place finish on Tuesday at Bakersfield Country Club in Bakersfield, California.
UVU carded its best round of the opening event on Tuesday with a 28-over-par 316 to finish in seventh place out of 10 teams with a three-round total of 94-over 958 (323-319-316). By taking seventh, the Wolverines finished ahead of WAC and in-state foe Dixie State (962), as well as Santa Clara (974) and the host CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners (976).
"We are so grateful for the opportunity to compete again. With five freshmen and only one upperclassman on the trip (
Bailey Henley) we focused on learning and growing," head UVU coach
Dr. Sue Nyhus said. "The scores simply don't show what a great trip it was. This is a special team!"
Junior
Bailey Henley led UVU at the event by posting a 16th-place finish with a 54-hole total of 17-over-par 233. After recording scores of 76 and 77 on Monday, Henley finished the event with an 8-over-par 80 on Tuesday.
Freshman
Victoria Estrada was next for the Wolverines by placing 27th with a 21-over 237. After posting rounds of 79 and 80 on Monday, Estrada led UVU during Tuesday's final round by firing a 6-over-par 78 with a birdie and 11 pars.
Fellow freshmen
Anna Lesa was UVU's third finisher by tying for 46th with a 246 (83-79-84), while
Lauren Taylor tied for 50th (86-83-80—249) and
Caylyn Ponich tied for 52nd (85-87-78—250).
Playing the field as an individual, freshman
Macy Robertson had a strong outing for UVU by tying for 35th with a 23-over-par 239 (82-78-79).
The co-host Cal Poly Mustangs won the event with a 44-over-par 908 (303-305-300), while Boise State placed second (914) and Cal State Fullerton third (915). Fellow WAC foes California Baptist (921) and Grand Canyon (934) too competed at The Valley Invite and finished in fourth and sixth places, respectively.
Cal State Fullerton's Brittany Shin claimed individual medalist honors by tallying a 3-over-par 219 (76-69-74). Her 3-under-par 69 that she carded during Monday's second round, was the lowest round of the tournament.
"Having Coach Erekson assist one group while I assisted the other was a great way to start the season. We are excited for the upcoming events," Nyhus added.
The Valley Invitational marked UVU's first of seven scheduled events on the COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign.
The Wolverines will return to Southern California next week, Feb. 15-16, to take part at Wyoming's Mountain Matchplay Classic at The Classic Club in Palm Desert, California.
