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Led by junior Katie Kempter’s individual title, the University of Denver women’s golf team blew away an international field in Tokyo to claim the most prestigious tournament victory in program history.
The Pioneers, who registered the lowest team totals in each of the final two rounds, dominated the Topy Cup, winning by a decisive 10-shot margin.
The Topy Cup is an annual tournament that features top collegiate teams from the United States and Japan.
Starting slowly, the Pioneers snuck into a tie for fourth after day one of the tournament with shooting a 12-over par 300, leaving them 11 shots out of first place.
Day two was a different story. Kempter led the way with a DU record 7-under par 65, while the Pioneers fired a 6-under par 282 and built a seven-shot lead.
In the final round, the Pioneers finished what they started the day before. Firing a final round, 5-over par, 293, the Pioneers shot the low round of the day to increase their lead and hold on for the victory.
Kempter finished the tournament tied for the medalist spot with Yoshimi Tamura of Mieji University with a 54-hole total of 2-under par 214.
Next for the Pioneers was junior Dawne Shockley who shot the low score of the final round to finish in a tie for fifth place at 220.
Senior transfer Chelsea Benton recorded her first Top 10 finish in her young DU career with a 5-over par total of 221.
One stroke back of Benton was sophomore Stephanie Sherlock in a tie for 12th.
Rounding out the Pioneer line-up was Sara Djos, who finished tied for 24th.
The win makes the Pioneers a perfect five-for-five in fall play over the past two seasons.
The Pioneers are now in action as they host the Ron Moore Women’s Intercollegiate that finishes up today in Highlands Ranch, Colo.