GAINESVILLE, GA- Colorado Christian closed their season with the program's first ever trip to the NCAA Championships, hosted by North Georgia at the Chattahoochee Golf Club in Georgia May 10-12. The Cougars represented well, finishing in 12th place overall to close the best season the program has ever seen. 

"Obviously would have liked to have kept playing but to do what we did was truly remarkable. To start the postseason as the 11th out of 12 seeds in one of the toughest regions in the nation, finish 2nd in that region, have Faith win the region, and then we almost make the final 8 at the national championship was further than anyone thought we would go, outside of our program," said head coach Philip Nelson. "As we were playing this week, we really felt like we had the talent to compete out here, and showed that we could, just ended up having a rough day our final round."

ROUND ONE
Faith Kilgore came out strong day one, netting four birdies on her way to a three under par 69. Emily Donaldson followed with an even par 72 as the seniors led the push. Kiersten Bryant posted a 78 and Courtney Andersson shot an 82. Emily Doeden closed with an 87 as the Cougars fought to a strong round one finish. 

"I have had an absolute blast during this postseason run getting to coach these ladies. The amount of tournament volunteers, other coaches, other team's parents and players that came up to me to comment on how much they loved our girls was overwhelming," Nelson said. "They represented themselves and the school incredibly well through their play and also their character. That is exactly what we set out to do from the beginning. Compete fiercely and win, but do it differently."

ROUND TWO
Kilgore continued with a 74 in her second round while Donaldson matched her with a 74 as well. Andersson shot a 75 as she shaved seven strokes off her previous days' round. Bryant put up an 81 while Doeden posted an 86. 

"These girls have given me, their families, and this school memories that will last a lifetime. I have full confidence that this program will reach these heights again, but there is nothing like being the first team to do it. I will forever remember this run," said Nelson. 

ROUND THREE
Kilgore closed with a 78 on the final day to finish in a tie for eighth overall in a loaded field of talent. Kilgore also garnered one more award on the year as she was named to the WGCA Division II All-American Team to add to a long list of honors. Donaldson netted a 79 to come in a tie for 20th overall at the championships. Andersson posted a 78 as she came in tied for 67th overall. Bryant shot an 80 as she came in tied for 82nd while Doeden picked up an 89 to come in 98th.

"We talked after the round about what we will take away from this run, and one of the girls said something switched in our team when we started being a lot more intentional about loving others well," Nelson said. "The more we took the focus off of ourselves and worked on making someone else's day better and loving others well, the more free we were able to play."

The Cougars shot a total score of 920 as a team to place in a tie for twelfth overall. 

"I am so proud of what this team has become and who these women have become. After being here, we know where we are going now. The goal is very clear, to make it back here. Thankful for the run we have had and the memories that have been made. Already excited for next year and to get back here again," Nelson concluded.

This finalizes the best season in women's golf history at Colorado Christian as they broke records and reached new heights as a program. The Cougars took home the program's first RMAC Championship as they advanced to Regionals, where they took placed second to book a spot in their first national championship. Head Coach Philip Nelson was named RMAC Coach of the Year while three Cougars landed on the RMAC first team and one on the second team. The program is certainly in a great place moving forward after an incredible year and we look forward to what is to come for women's golf.