SOUTH JOURDAN, UT – This one feels like it has been a long time coming. After coming achingly close to a team title in numerous events in recent history, the wait is over for the Colorado Christian women's golf team.
The Cougars used a strong final round performance to win the Wasatch Invitational hosted by Westminster.
Colorado Christian posted a two-round total of 606 (+30) to finish seven strokes clear of runner-up Biola. Western Washington finished third, eight strokes behind the Cougars.
The team title is the first for the program since the 2015 season.
FIRST ROUND RECAP: After the opening 18 holes the Cougars were just three strokes behind Biola as they fired a 307 (+19).
Emily Donaldson had the best round for the squad as she notched a 74 (+2) by playing 14 holes at par with a birdie and three bogeys. Courtney Andersson continued her solid play of late with a 76 (+4) to start her event. The duo was tied for fourth and sixth respectively.
Kiersten Bryant put together a quality round in tough scoring conditions with a 78 (+6) as Faith Kilgore carded a 79 (+7). Michaela Cox, also playing a scoring golfer, tallied an 84 (+12).
Playing as individuals, Emily Doeden and Mary Beth Doss each tallied an 80 (+8) with Maggie Porter registering an 82 (+10)
FINAL ROUND RECAP: The last 18 holes were pretty much ideal in not friendly weather conditions. A strong effort carded a 299 (+11) as the Cougars nabbed the team title. Saturday's final round tally was the only sub-300 round of the tournament for any of the 14 teams.
Kilgore went two-under par 70 as she moved up 18 spots in the standings as she finished tied for the second position with a five-birdie last round. Donaldson was also tied for second as she recorded a 75 (+3) to close out the event.
Andersson grabbed another top 10 finish with another 76 (+4) as she finished in ninth. Bryant closed out her tournament with an 82 (+10) while Cox improved six strokes from her first round with a 78 (+6).
Doeden and Doss were the same again as they shot identical scores of 82 (+10) with Porter firing an 86 (+14).
INSIDE THE SCORECARD
- Colorado Christian led the field with 117 holes played at par
- The Cougars 3.15 scoring average on par three holes and 4.34 scoring average on par four holes was the best in the tournament
- Andersson led all competitors with 28 holes played at par
QUOTEABLE: "Really proud of the girls this week. It's says something when your best player has an off day and we were still able to be in 2nd place after the first round. Emily and Courtney did an amazing job. Then, the second round was just pure toughness. Having to start the round in hail and a downpour for the front nine was not ideal, and they just stuck it out. Told them before this round today it was all about how we would respond to the conditions, and they responded with smiles and grit. Was an all out team effort this week and everyone contributed," said head coach Phil Nelson.
UP NEXT: The Cougars close out the fall season with a late October trip to the Big Island of Hawai'i at the Dennis Rose Invitational.
