PALOS VERDES “”mdash; After a drought of over a year, the UCLA
women’s golf team’s immediate goal this season was to
win a tournament, something the No. 2 Bruins failed to do last
year.
That was fast.
In their first tournament of the year, the Bruins completely
demolished the rest of the field, winning by an unheard of 32
strokes after Wednesday’s final round at the Northrop Grumman
Regional Challenge at the Palos Verdes Golf Club.
“I’m really proud of them,” coach Carrie
Forsyth said. “Because of how we played over the first
two rounds, we made it easy on ourselves on the third
day. Fall season for us was kind of frustrating. This is
the start we needed to have. We can win; that’s nice to
know.”
The Bruins had not won a tournament since they finished tied for
first at the NCAA West Regionals in May 2002. The last time the
Bruins finished alone atop the standings was November 2001.
All of this is unusual for a team ranked as highly as UCLA.
UCLA’s Charlotte Mayorkas won the individual title by a
wide 10-stroke margin. She was the only golfer who finished under
par, with a three-day score of 207 (6-under par).
“I love playing this course,” Mayorkas said.
“I got a little emotional on the last green. It could
have been a blow-up day. I think I left all of my birdies out
there in the first two rounds.”
While Mayorkas had her worst day at the tournament, Wednesday,
she still increased her lead with a 72. She had shot a 66 and 69,
the two best scores among the 80-player field.
UCLA’s Susie Mathews finished tied for second overall with
Tulsa’s Julie Tvede, both shooting a three-day total of 217
(4-over par).
The other Bruins in the lineup were Krystal Shearer (tied for
13th place, 226), Hannah Jun (tied for 34th, 233) and Gina Umeck
(tied for 38th).
UCLA’s Bridget Dwyer competed as an individual and
finished tied for 34th.
Included in the field of competition were seven top-25 teams,
making the Bruins’ dominant victory even more impressive.
“We were overdue for this,” Mathews said.
“Once you have the confidence and knowledge you’re
going to win, it makes it that much easier to win next
time.”
With reports from Seth Fast Glass, Bruin sports
reporter.