Women’s golf stages second-round comeback to win in New Mexico

By Laurean Love
Reporter

Women’s golf won the Dick McGuire Invitational by four strokes this past weekend in Albuquerque, N.M.

Baylor started the final round tied for fourth and was six strokes behind the leader, Northwestern. The Lady Bears shot a final round of 295, which was the lowest of any team Monday, finishing the tournament with 11-over. TCU and Denver tied for second with 15-over and Sunday’s leader, Northwestern, finished fourth with 16-over.

“Pin placements were very tough, but we played smart golf and hit the ball very well,” head coach Jay Goble said in a press release. “I knew we would play well if we had a few putts drop. It’s pretty awesome to win and beat several teams ranked way ahead of us.”

This victory was Baylor’s first win since April 2010 at the Baylor Spring Invitational.

Freshman Hayley Davis finished in second place for the second consecutive tournament. Davis shot a 2-under in the final round only one stroke behind the individual champion, New Mexico’s Sofia Hoglund, who shot a 3-under.

Senior Chelsey Cothran tied for fourth overall with even-par. Senior Jaclyn Jansen tied for 17th place with a 5-over finish. Davis, Cothran and Jansen had 10 of Baylor’s 13 birdies Monday.

“Once again, Hayley (Davis) and Chelsey (Cothran) continued their good play,” Goble said. “Hayley had a chance to win it, but couldn’t get a few putts to fall. She’s playing her way into contention every time. She’ll get some wins; it’s only a matter of time.”

Senior Valerie Sternebeck tied for 39th at 9-over. Freshman Emma Carberry tied for 79th at 19-over for her collegiate debut. Freshman Stani Schiavone followed in 83rd at 20-over.

“All day, I tried to watch how we were playing and not paying attention to the scoreboard because you can’t change what’s on there,” Goble said. “Everything was great Monday. Everyone went higher in the final round, so you know it was tough day all around. But we managed to shoot the lowest of any team and take care of business.”

Baylor will return to New Mexico Oct. 10-12 in Las Cruces for the Price’s NMSU Invitational.

The Lady Bears’ next tournament will take place Oct. 30- Nov. 1 at the Alamo Invitational in San Antonio.

Men’s golf returns to action this weekend in the Rod Myers Invitational Saturday and Sunday in Durham, N.C.