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Many have asked how good is this DU women’s golf team, and well, the bar keeps getting raised to the next level after every tournament. The team keeps winning. The No. 18-ranked Pioneers captured the Ro n Moore Women’s Intercollegiate tournament last Monday and Tuesday in the only home tourney of both the fall and spring seasons.
“It is always nice to win. We did not play particularly well yesterday and we dug ourselves into some holes, but it was nice to see them shoot an even-par round today and play better and win our second in a row,” said Head Coach Sammie Chergo.
Not only did the Pioneers win the team title, but also the individual, as sophomore Stephanie Sherlock fired rounds of 69-72-72 for a 3-under par 213 to win the tourney. It is Sherlock’s fourth career tournament title.
“Just consistency, I would say overall, I hit the ball pretty well. My short game was there all week. It really helped me out,” said Sherlock about her performance.
Senior Chelsea Benton finished in a tie for 14th place with a 54-hole score of 7-over par 223, junior Dawn Shockley finished in a tie for 30th as she shot a 12-over par and junior Sara Djos shot a 13-over par 229.
The win comes on the heels of DU winning the prestigious Topy tournament in Japan just a couple weeks earlier.
“Originally we were just so honored to be invited and then to go over to a different country and compete against some really talented teams and come away with a win was really rewarding for everyone,” said Chergo about the trip to Japan.
Last season the Pioneers qualified for the NCAA Championships for the first time in program history and return four of the five players from that team. DU is also currently ranked No. 18 in the country, another program best.
Denver has three more matches this fall, traveling to Knoxville, Tenn., for the Mercedes Benz Invitational (Oct. 12-14), UNLV Las Vegas Showdown (Oct. 26-27) and to Florida for the Hooters Collegiate Match Play (Nov. 4-6). DU is also scheduled to play in five tournaments this spring, with the first teeing off on February 11.
“Honestly we would like to finish in the top 10 in the NCAA’s and that is our goal and we also want to get better every day,” said Chergo.
With a team that features just one senior, the Pioneers have a bright future ahead of them.
“Yeah, I think things are looking good for us for the next couple years, keep getting better and better and see where it goes,” said Sherlock.
