The last time the University of Denver women’s golf team won more than two team titles in a single season was 2008-09, when the Pioneers posted their best finish ever at the NCAA Finals by placing fifth.
Though it’s only a month into the 2017-18 season, DU already owns two team victories after Sunday’s win in its own Ron Moore Women’s Intercollegiate at Highlands Ranch Golf Club. And considering the Pioneers have won 14 straight conference championships — and that that tournament is coming up in the spring — it seems likely they will claim at least three team victories this season.
In fact, Sunday marked DU’s second team title in 11 days as it also prevailed in the Golfweek Conference Challenge at Red Sky Golf Club in Wolcott.
At the Ron Moore Intercollegiate, the Pioneers rallied from a three-stroke deficit going into the final round to win by nine shots in the 14-team tournament.
The Pioneers closed with a program-record final round of 16-under-par 272 to post a 15-under 849 total for three days. Next best was Oregon State, coached by former DU standout player Dawn Shockley. The University of Northern Colorado finished eighth at 885.
Leading the way for DU was 2016 individual champion Sophie Newlove, who closed with a 3-under-par 69 to place fourth individually at 7-under 209, which left her four strokes behind winner Ellie Slama of Oregon State. Also for DU, Lauren Whyte posted a 6-under 66 to tie for 10th at 213, the same figure as teammate Jessica Dreesbeimdieke, who carded a 67 on Sunday.
Likewise in the top 10 individually was UNC’s Morgan Sahm, the Coloradan who finished a season-best seventh at 5-under 211.
Ron Moore Women’s Intercollegiate
Oct. 6-8, 2017 (final) at Highlands Ranch GC
1. Denver 283-294-272–849
4. Sophie Newlove 69-71-69–209
10. Lauren Whyte 73-74-75-66–213
10. Jessica Dreesbeimdieke 72-74-67–213
15. Mary Weinstein 71-75-70–216
34. Camille Enright 71-76-75–222
8. Northern Colorado 289-297-299–885
7. Morgan Sahm 69-71-71–211
24. Beah Cruz 69-74-75–218
49. Marisa Hisaki 73-76-78–227
55. Nicole Polivchak 78-76-75-75–229
Hanna Atkins 80-DQ-78
73. Aili Bundy (competing only as individual) 77-83-76–236
74. Christina Ferreira (competing only as individual) 83-82-72–237
14. Denver B Team 309-323-310–942
57. Sonya Knebel 78-79-74–231
59. Maggie Cowart 74-81-77–232
68. Anni Heck 76-80-77–235
78. Caroline Klemp 81-83-80–244
Also
19. Coloradan Erin Sargent, Wyoming 70-75-72–217
65. Coloradan Sarah Hankins, Wyoming 77-84-73–234
68. Coloradan Jordan Remley, Wyoming 79-84-72–235