Las Vegas, Nevada (March 11, 2010)–The UNLV Lady Golfers love to play golf in their home tournament, as evidenced by several factors. Not only did they defend their title at Boulder Creek Golf Club in the Spring Invitational, but they dominated the field and also added the individual golf title with star Therese Koelbaek winning. Boulder Creek Golf Club is one of 50 Las Vegas Golf Region courses, and has been the host course for this Las Vegas golf event for several years. UNLV and staff report.
Entering the final round with a seemingly insurmountable lead, the UNLV women’s golf team made sure there was no final-round drama, posting a solid third-round score in winning the 2010 UNLV Spring Invitational title at Boulder Creek Golf Club. The Rebels, who finished with a team score of 866 (+2), were led by Koelbaek, a junior. who compiled a total of 6-under par210, one of three UNLV golfers to finish in the top 10.
The win was the second in the row for the Rebels at their own spring tournament, and the 12th tournament championship overall for UNLV in program history, all of which have come under head coach Missy Ringler. UNLV’s 12-stroke edge over Baylor also represents the second-largest margin of victory by a Rebel team in a tournament. Koelbaek, who carded three consecutive sub-par rounds for a three-stroke victory and a total of 6-under 210, won her third career tournament title, moving her into a tie for first place on the all-time victory list with former Rebel great Sunny Oh, who also won three titles. Koelbaek was joined in the top 10 on Wednesday by teammates Natasha Krishna and Kristen Schelling, who finished tied for fourth and tied for eighth respectively, part of an entire team effort by the Rebels.
“I am so proud of the team,” Ringler said. “It is such a great win for our confidence going into the rest of the spring. It was also a great win for Therese. She is playing some great golf, but this was also a complete team effort. I am so pleased with the play of Natasha and Kristen, and having three players in the top 10 is wonderful." Boulder Creek Golf Club is a Las Vegas resort golf course, but opens up to the UNLV women's event each year, allowing some of the best lady college golfers a chance to play the Mark Rathert layout. All Las Vegas golfers are welcome at Boulder Creek Golf Club, and Las Vegas golf tee times are available at the official website of Boulder Creek. Boulder Creek is one of two Las Vegas Golf Region courses in Boulder City, a Vegas suburb about 30 miles from the Las Vegas Strip.
Entering the day in second place, Koelbaek bogied No. 2, but that would be just one of two last blemishes on her scorecard during the final round, as she fired a second straight 1-under 71 that included three birdies on the day. Koelbaek opened the tournament with a 4-under 68, and remained under par the rest of the way in earning medalist honors. “It was a really good tournament for us,” Koelbaek said. “The entire team played great and we finally got to show what we are capable of. It felt good coming back and defending the team title we won last year and to win individually really means a lot to me as well, with all the hard work I have been putting in paying off.”
Krishna shot a steady 1-over 73 on the day, giving her a 54-hole total of even-par 216, while Schelling posted a three-round score of 3-over 219, and both finishes were season bests for the duo. Rebel junior Alejandra Guacaneme tied for 17th with a total of 6-over 222, and Bethany Glassford rounded out the UNLV scorecard with a total of 13-over 229 that had her tied for 46th. UNLV also has a trio of individuals playing in the tournament, as Mandi Incorvaia (229, +13) tied for 46th, Stephanie Whatley (232, +16) tied for 61st and Victoria Oros (239, +23) tied for 80th.
A distant second to the Rebels was Texas with a team score of 878 (+14), while Texas Tech was third with a score of 886 (+22). UNLV was part of an 18-team field that included seven teams in the top-50 of Golfweek’s latest rankings in No. 34 Tulsa, No. 38 Texas, No. 45 UNLV, No. 46 Texas Tech, No. 47 Idaho, No. 48 Campbell and No. 50 Wisconsin. This report compiled from a press release by UNLV Assistant Director of Media Relations, Bryan Haines.