The DU women’s golf team won their eighth consecutive Sun Belt Conference Championships after shooting an 11-over par 375 in three rounds at the Schoolmaster Course at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course at the Shoals in Birmingham, Ala.
The Pioneers recorded an impressive 289, 294, and 292 in the three rounds, giving the team the victory and another SBC title.
“This year was very special in that the Sun Belt [Conference] was as competitive as it has ever been,” said heach coach Sammie Chergo. “For the first year ever, two other SBC teams are going to the NCAA tournament, North Texas and Florida International qualified from the Sun Belt this year.”
Finishing a close 2nd behind DU was Middle Tennessee after the two schools battled for the top spot throughout the day. Middle Tennessee finished with 380 strokes and 16-over par over the three-day tournament. The the top five in the field in order were Arkansas-Little Rock 23-over par 887, North Texas 25-over par 889 and Florida International.
“Our tournament schedule this year was the 8th-ranked tournament schedule in the country and all year long we played again the best teams,” said Chergo. “I think that helped us prepare for pressure situations, our players played with such great pride for the university and for each other and is what pulled us together for that back nine.”
Some notable Denver performers were senior Ellie Givens and sophomore Kelly Drack. Both women finished tied for 3rd, shooting two-over par (218) in three rounds of play.
“It was great for Ellie to play three rounds for us,” said Chergo. “She showed great poise and competitiveness and really was our anchor throughout the SBC tournament. She is our leader.”
Givens and Drack were also recognized for their stellar play throughout the season as they were named to the 2011 Club Glove Sun Belt Conference Women’s Golf All-Conference Team. This honor marked the third consecutive season in which Givens received this honor. As for Drack, this was her first time on the SBC All-Conference team.
“Kelly [Drack] as a sophomore has improved every single tournament,” said Chergo. “I think the world of Kelly as a golfer and a person. She is so cool under pressure and enjoys the competition.”
Other Pioneers chipping in to the conference tournament victory included junior Anna Christenson who recorded the best DU score in the final round posting a three-under par 69 to take 17th place overall with a total of 9-over par 225 in three rounds.
Christenson shot a 73 on day one, and an 83 on day two. Freshman Tonje Daffinrud finished the tournament tied for 9th with a five-over par 221 after shooting a 72 in round one and two, and a 77 on the final day.
“Anna may be one of the best putters in our program. She can flat out putt,” said Chergo. “Anna is a very good competitor and came up big for us birdieing four of her last five holes.”
With the tournament victory, the Pioneers were selected to take part in their 10th consecutive NCAA West Regional Championship. The tournament will be hosted by University of Washington and will take place on May 5-7 at the Washington National Golf Course in Auburn, Wash. The Pioneers have the No. 15 seed in the tournament, which is comprised of 24 clubs.
The NCAA hosts two other Regional Championship tournaments will take place during the same time period to determine the championships field. A total of 378 women golfers have qualified for regional competition and 126 will advance to the championship finals. Eight teams and two individuals from each region will look for bids into the championship finals. The championships will take place May 18-21 at the Traditions Country Club in Bryan, Texas.
The women’s golf team can be followed at www.golfstat.com starting on Thursday this upcoming week.
