After getting off to a slow start, the Colorado State women’s golf team came roaring back into contention in the Ron Moore Women’s Intercollegiate, and ultimately finished in fourth place Sunday, posting a score of 872 (eight-over par). The score is the best card finish for the team in six years, when the team posted a score of 863 in the 2009 Ram Fall Classic.
In addition to the team’s successful outing, three individual CSU competitors finished in the top-20. Sophomore Allie Andersen shot one stroke below par (215) to put her in a tie for fifth place. The score was her career best, and her third top-10 finish. Coach Annie Young was impressed by Andersen’s performance.
“She played really solid,” Young said. “The funny thing is that she’s not hitting the ball very well, but she’s grown and matured a lot the last month. She’s just taking what she has and playing with it. That’s the most impressive part about her finish.”
Freshman Katrina Prendergast and junior Elisabeth Rau each tied for 17th with scores of 219 (three-over par). It was the first top-20 finish in Prendergast’s young career. This was the fifth time Rau has finished top-20 in her career, and the second time in the past week.
Young also praised the team as a whole.
“We hadn’t done that before and we actually got stronger as the week went on,” Young said. “They continued to get better throughout the week, and it was fun to see some of them shoot some of their low scores.”
CSU, Washington State and the Denver, who hosted the tournament, were the only schools to have three top-20 individual finishes. Denver won the tournament with an overall score of 862 (two-under par).
CSU’s third round score of one-over par (289), was the second best team score of the day. It was the second straight day that the Rams posted the second best team score of the 18-team field.
The Rams are keeping their priorities in check following the performance.
“They’re still hungry and really excited for the next course,” Young said. “Almost everybody has played it, so they understand it and the challenges.”
After playing in two tournaments this week, the Rams have two weeks ahead of them to get ready for the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown from Oct. 25-27. The much needed rest gives CSU plenty of time to prepare for their final tournament of the fall season.
Collegian Sports Reporter Justin Michael can be reached by email at sports@collegian.com or on Twitter @JustinSportsCSU.
