California Baptist University
Grand Canyon Spring Invite
Lancers Go Low In Final Round of GCU Spring Invite
2/23/2020 2:37:00 PM | Women's Golf
PHOENIX --- California Baptist University's women's golf team capped off the final round of the Grand Canyon Spring Invite with a tournament-best 2-under-par to place second out of 14 teams.
The Lancers entered the final round trailing by four strokes and nearly pulled off the comeback on host team Grand Canyon. CBU put together 17 total birdies as a team, and three players finished the final round under par.
The team shot a 291-286=577 to finish one stroke behind Grand Canyon. The Lopes hosted the tournament on their home course and shot 1-under-par on the first day and went even par as a team in the final round for a 576 team score.
As for the rest of the leaderboard, Portland State finished in third place and was 17 strokes behind the Lancers. Seattle U placed fourth (596), UTEP took fifth (597), and Utah Valley finished in sixth (601) with Hawaii.
"I'm very proud of this team," said head coach Marc Machado. "We've had to battle some elements over these last two tournaments dealing with the wind and the rain. We put ourselves in a great position on the first day. I always tell the TEAM that you can't win a tournament on the first day, but you can sure lose it. Our focus was to be clear-minded and not hit a single shot until we felt comfortable. The TEAM answered the call today and really made a run at the top spot. We gave a great effort and gave ourselves a chance at the end."
Samantha Martirez, Sofia Chabon, and Kristyna Abrahamova all finished the final round under par.
Chabon recorded her first-ever podium finish in her young career in sole possession of third. She also recorded back-to-back rounds under par to shoot 3-under-par 70-71=141 for a season-best.
Jocelyn Chee was consistent both days for the Lancers, firing off a 71-74=145 to place T-8th. This marks her third tournament inside the top-10 this season.
Samantha Martirez finished as the low round during Sunday's round, bouncing back from a 76 on the first day with a 2-under-par 70. Martirez placed T-11th and moved up 20 spots on the leaderboard.
Kristyna Abrahamova also answered the call in the final round, carding a 1-under-par 71 to jump up 17 spots to place T-14th.
Diana Araneta finished T-48th and shot a 74-81=155, while Belle Balkan competed as an individual and finished T-71st with an 82-80=162.
"It was a total TEAM effort," added Machado. "Everyone contributed and to have three players under par in the final round is amazing. You can feel the positive vibes going around, and the TEAM is starting to see their potential. Sofia played awesome and is starting to realize what she is capable of – she's not far off from winning her first collegiate tournament. Sam bounced back great day and responded really well. That's not always easy to do. Kristyna had a phenomenal finish, and Jocelyn was that steady and consistent leader we need. I'm looking forward to Utah and seeing what this TEAM can do."
The Lancers will head down to St. George, Utah, to compete in the Pizza Hut Lady Thunderbird Invitational from March 12-13.
Players Mentioned
