Crisp, windy conditions didn’t hinder the Denver Pioneers women’s golf team from claiming their third consecutive Summit League Championship title. On April 20, in Nebraska City, Nebraska, the Pioneers crafted a convincing 52-stroke advantage over South Dakota State University, who took second place.

As a team, Denver finished 12-over-par (300) and earned a record-breaking final team score of 878. The Pioneers trumped their previous 2014 record of 887. Four of their five golfers were named to the all-tournament team and their successful efforts marked the first time this year that all five golfers placed within the top 10 of the individual leaderboard.

Junior Jessica Carty’s (Holywood, Northern Ireland) individual efforts of 3-over 76 and a three-round total of 217 (69-72-76) captured the 2016 Summit League Golf Championship individual title, marking her first collegiate win. Additionally, Carty’s overall 217 finish tied the tournament’s individual low record after 54 holes.

“It was a tough day out there today,” said head coach Lindsay Kuhle. “There were times when we didn’t think we were going to play because of the weather. We had a two-hour delay and for us to stay focused and come out ready to go says a lot about the competitiveness of this team. To shoot 300 today in pretty difficult conditions with the wind is very impressive. I’m very proud of the girls. This was a total team effort this week.”

Junior Mariell Bruun (Larvik, Norway) finished four strokes behind Carty. Sophomore Jessica Dreesbeimdieke (Windhoek, Namibia) ended the tournament 1-over-par 73 during the final round, totaling a 6-over-par 222 (71-78-73) which earned her a tie for third place. Freshman Katharina Baratta (Klosterneuburg, Austria) finished within the top five with a score of 225 (74-74-77). Freshman Sophie Newlove (Nottingham, England) completed the tournament in eighth place after earning a tournament-record of 69 on April 19, followed by an 80 within the final 18 holes.

Denver will advance to Regionals for the 15th consecutive time. The Pioneers now await their placing for the NCAA Regionals which take place on May 5, where the location remains to be announced.