Monday, March 5
Pleasanton, Calif.
8:00 AM
California Baptist University
at
Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout
Strong Finish Clinches Title
3/6/2018 4:49:00 PM | Women's Golf
RESULTS
PLEASANTON, Calif. – Over the last two years, California Baptist University has emphasized the importance of finishing each round strong by focusing on the final four holes.
It was a crucial factor of the 23rd-ranked Lancers' third win of the season and second in a row. CBU's four counting scorers played their final four holes two-under par for a late comeback over PacWest foe Academy of Art to win the Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout on Tuesday.
Academy of Art was in the driver's seat heading into the final four holes, with a 10-stroke lead over the Lancers. The Urban Knights faltered and played their final four holes 11-over par and its advantage disappeared while CBU was two-under to card a 611 (306-305) at the Callippe Preserve Golf Course.
It allowed the Lancers to maintain their three-stroke edge after the first round by matching Academy of Art's second-round score (614, 309-305).
"We had a very rough stretch and where we were down to Academy of Art by 10 shots with four holes left. This young team is gaining more and more confidence and it's fun to watch," Coach Marc Machado said. "I'm so, so proud of this team for showing tremendous heart down the stretch. The last four holes is where we shine and the team really looks forward to them."
Kristyna Abrahamova was one over her final four, while Samantha Martirez played her last five holes even par. Erica Wang was actually one-under after a birdie on her second-to-last hole, while Yifei "Sunny" Wang was not to be outdone and was two-under over her final four with a birdie at the last two holes.
It marks the fourth tournament in a row the Lancers have secured a top-four finish at the Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout. CBU takes a week off before partaking in Cal State Monterey Bay's Otter Invitational March 19-20 at the Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach.
Four Lancers secured top-11 finishes individually. Martirez secured a third-place individual finish by shooting six-over-par 150 (73-77) this week. Cal State San Marcos' Jaime Jacob earned medalist honors with a 147 (76-71).
"Sam was very solid on round one and struggled on a couple holes today, but played a steady overall tournament," Machado said. "Sam is very close to breaking through and she will win again very soon. Her attitude was outstanding all tournament."
Erica Wang tied for fifth with a 152 (75-77), while Yifei "Sunny" Wang posted the biggest improvement from round one to two for CBU. The junior cut nine strokes off opening 18 holes with an even-par 72 for a 153 (81-72).
"I was so impressed with Sunny birdieing her last two holes, which are some of the hardest on the golf course," Machado said. "Sunny struggled the first round and I knew she would use that as motivation and come back strong for us. She was so clutch for us in the final round, especially when we needed it the most."
It was the second-best round of the tournament in what proved to be tough conditions for the entire field, with a frost delay setting back Tuesday's shotgun start by a half hour.
"This golf course was extremely hard, lots of elevation changes, and very undulated greens," Machado said. "This tournament was a tough mental grind and these five ladies fought the entire time. We are all exhausted."
Abrahamova gave CBU four scorers under 80 by shooting 79 on Tuesday for a 156 (77-79) that left her in 11th place. Sharon Oh was not far off and took 30th for the Lancers with a 161 (81-80).
PLEASANTON, Calif. – Over the last two years, California Baptist University has emphasized the importance of finishing each round strong by focusing on the final four holes.
It was a crucial factor of the 23rd-ranked Lancers' third win of the season and second in a row. CBU's four counting scorers played their final four holes two-under par for a late comeback over PacWest foe Academy of Art to win the Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout on Tuesday.
Academy of Art was in the driver's seat heading into the final four holes, with a 10-stroke lead over the Lancers. The Urban Knights faltered and played their final four holes 11-over par and its advantage disappeared while CBU was two-under to card a 611 (306-305) at the Callippe Preserve Golf Course.
It allowed the Lancers to maintain their three-stroke edge after the first round by matching Academy of Art's second-round score (614, 309-305).
"We had a very rough stretch and where we were down to Academy of Art by 10 shots with four holes left. This young team is gaining more and more confidence and it's fun to watch," Coach Marc Machado said. "I'm so, so proud of this team for showing tremendous heart down the stretch. The last four holes is where we shine and the team really looks forward to them."
Kristyna Abrahamova was one over her final four, while Samantha Martirez played her last five holes even par. Erica Wang was actually one-under after a birdie on her second-to-last hole, while Yifei "Sunny" Wang was not to be outdone and was two-under over her final four with a birdie at the last two holes.
It marks the fourth tournament in a row the Lancers have secured a top-four finish at the Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout. CBU takes a week off before partaking in Cal State Monterey Bay's Otter Invitational March 19-20 at the Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach.
Four Lancers secured top-11 finishes individually. Martirez secured a third-place individual finish by shooting six-over-par 150 (73-77) this week. Cal State San Marcos' Jaime Jacob earned medalist honors with a 147 (76-71).
"Sam was very solid on round one and struggled on a couple holes today, but played a steady overall tournament," Machado said. "Sam is very close to breaking through and she will win again very soon. Her attitude was outstanding all tournament."
Erica Wang tied for fifth with a 152 (75-77), while Yifei "Sunny" Wang posted the biggest improvement from round one to two for CBU. The junior cut nine strokes off opening 18 holes with an even-par 72 for a 153 (81-72).
"I was so impressed with Sunny birdieing her last two holes, which are some of the hardest on the golf course," Machado said. "Sunny struggled the first round and I knew she would use that as motivation and come back strong for us. She was so clutch for us in the final round, especially when we needed it the most."
It was the second-best round of the tournament in what proved to be tough conditions for the entire field, with a frost delay setting back Tuesday's shotgun start by a half hour.
"This golf course was extremely hard, lots of elevation changes, and very undulated greens," Machado said. "This tournament was a tough mental grind and these five ladies fought the entire time. We are all exhausted."
Abrahamova gave CBU four scorers under 80 by shooting 79 on Tuesday for a 156 (77-79) that left her in 11th place. Sharon Oh was not far off and took 30th for the Lancers with a 161 (81-80).
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
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