March 12, 2008–The Lady Rebel golf team burst out of the gate and into the lead following the first round of the team's home event, the UNLV Spring Rebel Invitational, played at Las Vegas golf course Boulder Creek Golf Club. But a poor second round followed up by missed opportunities in the third and final round spelled doom for the Lady Rebels, ranked 55th by Golfweek heading into the tournament. They finished 6th at nine-over par. The Rebels were in sixth after round two, but had climbed to within a few shots of the lead during the final round, but a devastating finish ended all hopes. The Rebels, as a team, played the final two holes in a total of 7-over par, including 5-over on the 18th hole, a tough par four. "It's extremely important to hold on to each stroke, and that's how you win tournaments," said Head Coach Missy Ringler immediately following the finish of Therese Koelbaek (pictured), the final Rebel on the course who made a bogey on 18.
This Rebels let a huge opportunity slip away, but Ringler said the team will learn and move forward with goals of winning the Mountain West Conference tournament and more in mind.
"It's disappointing not to keep the lead and win our home tourmament, but we will learn from this," said Ringler, who led the Rebels to the NCAA Regionals last season. "I have said all along that from player one through five, we are very young. They will learn from the mistakes. I am proud of the effort."
The Rebels fvie players include one senior, two freshmen, one sophomore and a junior. Koelbaek, one of the freshman, led the Rebels and finished in a tie for fifth.
The Rebels next play at Sacramento State March 31.