Women's Golf Earns 10th Straight Top-10 Finish at Nationals

By Kyle Trembley, 5/15/09

Cougar women's golf finished up its season on Friday, taking 10th place at the NAIA National Championships.  Sophomores Roxanne Mejia and Linnel de Villa led the way, finishing tied for 21st and 26th, respectively.

Competing in cold, wet weather at Meadowbrook Country Club in South Dakota, the Cougar women were in 6th place after three rounds before settling for 10th after especially difficult conditions on the final day.  Oklahoma City took home its fifth straight championship with a four-round team total of 1,228, while Bethel University took second with a 1,261.  The Cougars finished with a total of 1,311.

Last season, Coach Fred Hanover's team finished a school-best third at Nationals; but with only one golfer who competed at that event (Natalie Todd) back for this year, it was looking like a rebuilding season for CSUSM women's golf.  That would not be the case, however, as the squad rallied for its tenth straight top-10 finish at Nationals.

"It's an amazing finish considering where we were going into this season," commented Coach Hanover.

For Mejia and de Villa, the event caps off breakout seasons for both.  Mejia had the best round of the tournament of any Cougar, shooting a brilliant +2 (74) on Thursday which catapulted her into the top-15 at the end of the day.  She shot rounds of 80, 82, 74, and 83 to shoot +31 (319) and tie for 21st.  Meanwhile, de Villa finished two shots behind with rounds of 77, 81, 79, and 84 for a total of +33 (321)

Todd was third on the team with rounds of 81, 84, 84, and 84 for a total of 333.  Stephanie Cole was just a few shots behind her, shooting 338; and Champions of Character nominee Jennifer Conway rounded out the squad with a total of 366.

Congratulations to the team for an outstanding season!

Prior Updates:

5/12 - Day One Update:  Linnel de Villa shoots a strong +5 (77), leading the Cougars to a solid opening round of 321.  CSUSM is currently tied for 9th.

5/13 - Day Two Update:  CSUSM moves up to a tie for 7th on the strenght of a second-round 333 in very difficult conditions.  Linnel de Villa once again was the team's top performer, shooting an 81.  She's tied for 14th halfway through the championship.

5/14 - Day Three Update:  The Cougars continue to move up, and now are in sixth heading into the tournament's final day.  Roxanne Mejia shot an awesome round of +2 (74) and is currently tied for 15th in the field, while Linnel de Villa is just one shot behind and tied for 19th.