Sept. 18, 2010
The New Mexico women’s golf team finished in 10th place at the 31st Branch Law Firm Dick McGuire Invitational at the University of New Mexico Championship Course (par-73, 6,187 yards) in Albuquerque.
UNM shot an 8-over-par 300 today for a 54-hole total of 913 (314-299-300).
Led by surprising Erica Omlid and defending McGuire champion Kendra Little, Oregon rallied past Ohio State to take the team title at 881 (295-296-290). The Ducks began the day four shots behind the Buckeyes, but won by two strokes after playing the final hole in 3-under par. It’s the first McGuire title for Oregon.
Ohio State finished at 883, while Colorado came in third at 884.
Omlid, a senior from Springfield, Ore., birdied the final two holes to win her first collegiate tournament by one shot over Ohio State’s Rachel Rohanna (69-73-70=212).
Omlid was the Ducks’ No. 5 player entering the tournament. She shot a 4-under 69 today to finish at 8-under 211 (70-72-69). UNLV’s Therese Koelbaek was third at 214 (70-70-74).
Little helped Oregon’s cause by firing a 2-under 71 in the final round.
Freshman Sammi Stevens was the Lobos’ top finisher. She shot a 1-under 72 (37-35) today to tie for 29th at 7-over 226 (76-78-72).
Stevens made an up-and-down birdie on the final hole to get into red numbers for the day. She left her approach shot in the front bunker 55 yards from the flag, but blasted out to within 13 feet then rolled in a left-to-right putt for her best round as a Lobo.
Junior Manon de Roey tied for 71st at 240 (82-77-81).
“It was better,” said UNM head coach Jill Trujillo. “I feel bad for Rebecca (Hellbom). She played so well at the beginning of the week at Colorado State. I know she’s very disappointed. I saw some really good things from our first two events. Freshman Sammi Stevens played pretty awesome, but we have some things we need to work on.”
Three Lobos participated as individuals. Freshman Sofia Hoglund tied for 59th at 236 (77-81-78). Junior Erin Miller tied for 71st at 240 (78-81-81) and senior Jordan Kennon tied for 83rd at 245 (81-82-82).
The Lobos’ next competition is Oct. 4-5 at the Windy City Collegiate in Highland Park, Ill.