The Oregon women’s golf team continued its impressive start to the 2003-04 season.
Against many of the nation’s top teams, the Ducks did something that has not been accomplished in nearly a decade. They secured a top-10 finish at the Stanford/Pepsi Intercollegiate this weekend, held at the 6,107-yard, par-72 Stanford Golf Course in Stanford, Calif. The team’s 10th place finish — combined with a fifth place finish at the Edan Ihlanfeldt Invitational in Sammamish, Wash., and the Ducks’ win at the Lady Vandal Fall Invitational in Moscow, Idaho — gives Oregon three top-10s in as many tournaments.
“We’re just playing solid golf,” Oregon coach Shannon Rouillard said. “We’re striking the ball very well. We could probably putt a little better, but we are making some good birdies.”
The Ducks played strong against the high-powered tournament field. Sophomore Therese Wenslow was tied for 29th after posting a first-round 1-over 73. Freshman Kimberly McCready and junior Johnna Nealy were tied for 40th at 2-over 74. Sophomore Erin Andrews was tied for 46th at 3-over 75.
Nealy improved on her season low round of 74, fired in the first round of the Stanford/Pepsi Intercollegiate, by posting an even-par 72 on Saturday. Nealy was tied for 28th at 2-over 146. Andrews had a second round 73, while McCready added a 74 — matching her season low that she set on Friday — that left both golfers tied for 34th at 4-over 138. Wenslow was tied for 48th at 150, following her second-round 77.
“We have pulled away from some teams that were behind us,” said Rouillard. “And for the second straight day, we played well on a tough golf course and against difficult competition.”
The final round of the Stanford/Pepsi Intercollegiate saw Andrews shine. She shot a career-low 2-under par 70 on Sunday to move into a tie for 20th at 2-over par 218. It marked the third straight top-20 finish for Andrews.
“That’s just a remarkable accomplishment in this field,” Rouillard said of Andrew’s play. “This field is second to none in strength of competition.”
As a team, the Ducks slipped a bit, firing a final round 300 to finish with a team score of 892. McCready had her third-straight 74 and finished tied for 33rd at 6-over 222. Nealy closed with a final-round 78 and was tied for 42 at 8-over 224. Therese Wenslow shot a 79 and finished in a tie for 57th at 13-over 229. Michelle Timpani fired an 84-79-78 to finish in a tie for 84th.
Duke took home the title with a score of 845, followed by Washington at 850, No.5 UCLA at 859, No. 6 California at 869 and No. 4 New Mexico finishing fifth with an 875.