In what was a busy week for the DU women’s golf team ended with a sixth place finish on Sunday at the Arizona State Invitational in Tempe, Ariz., while facing a top-notch field. The Pioneers started the week winning their fourth tournament title of the season at the Sacramento State Invitational in Lincoln, Calif. on Tuesday.
“I am pleased with our progression so far this year and feel like we are really gaining momentum as we look to the post season,” said Head Coach Sammie Chergo.
At the ASU tournament No. 9 Denver finished behind No. 3 Southern California, No. 4 Arizona State, No. 2 UCLA, No. 20 Texas A&M and No. 7 Georgia. The Pioneers shot an eight-over par 296 to open the tournament in seventh place at Karsten Golf Course. DU moved up two places to fifth after the second day in which they shot a two-over par 290. Denver finished the tournament on Sunday with another eight-over par 296.
Senior transfer Chelsea Benton (71-75-75) and junior Dawn Shockley (75-73-73) led the way for the Pioneers with a three-round score of five-over par, 221 finishing in a tie for 18th. Junior Katie Kempter (74-73-77), sophomore Stephanie Sherlock (76-72-76) and freshman Ellie Givens (80-72-72) all shot an eight-over par 224 to finish in a tie for 31st.
“The ASU Ping is one of the most premier events in college golf. We had all five players help in securing a sixth place finish. No one around the program was particularly pleased with our finish. It was a few little things here and there from each player that held us back from a Top 3 finish,” said Chergo.
Earlier in the week, Denver was on cruise control en route to a dominating tournament victory at the Sacramento State Invitational also known as the NCAA Western Regional Preview. DU finished with a three-round score of 12 over-par 876, 24 strokes better than second place Oregon and 28 strokes better than third place Fresno State.
Kempter (70-73-75) led the way and finished alone in fourth place with a two over-par 218 for the tournament. Sherlock (71-77-73) was close behind with a five over-par 221 along with Givens (73-74-75) firing a six over-par 222 and Shockley (74-71-78) and Benton (76-72-75) finishing in a tie for 15th place with a seven over-par 223.
“If we are placed in Sacramento the experience from last week will be a confidence builder for our players,” said Chergo.
There are three NCAA Regionals in Texas, Georgia and in Sacramento and the Pioneers have an equal chance to be selected to play in either of the three, but are definitely rooting to play in Sacramento after playing well there last week.
Denver will begin post-season play April 21-23 in Muscle Shoals, Ala., where the Pioneers will look to capture their fifth consecutive Sun Belt Conference Championship.
Last season the Pioneers finished in fourth place at the West Regional and advanced to DU’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA championship, finishing in 20th place.
This season the expectations are high and Denver is ready to show the nation that they are worthy of their No. 9 ranking.
