There is no trophy for first place at NCAA Regionals for the UCLA women’s golf team ““ all that really matters is getting into the top eight.
After a third-place performance at the Pac-10 Championships in April, however, the Bruins were determined to show everyone what they could really do and to play their best golf at the NCAA Central Regional.
UCLA took first place with a score of 890 (+26) at the conclusion of competition Saturday and will go on to compete at the NCAA Championship beginning May 18.
Seven other teams advanced from the Central Regional: Louisiana State, Minnesota, Arkansas, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Stanford and Wake Forest.
Junior Stephanie Kono finished Thursday tied for 15th place and Friday in 17th, but was able to shoot to a first-place tie with a total of 218 (+2) in a stellar third round on Saturday.
Freshman Ani Gulugian ended up in a tie for eighth with a score of 223 (+7). Redshirt sophomore Lee Lopez and senior Glory Yang each shot 227 (+11), putting them in a tie for 27th place. Sophomore Tiffany Lua tied for 56th place with a score of 232 (+16).
No. 2 seed Duke was ousted from the top eight when the leaderboard shifted at the end of the third day, putting fifth-seeded Wake Forest back in the running and taking Duke out of it. This broke Duke’s streak of appearing in 13 consecutive national championships.
The Bruins have a week and a half to prepare before the start of NCAA Championship at the Traditions Golf Course in College Station, Texas.
Compiled by Emma Coghlan, Bruin Sports contributor.