Bruins Hang on for 3rd Consecutive PAC-10 Women's Golf Championship

UCLA Team member Photo Courtesy: UCLA

TUCSON, Ariz - The UCLA Bruins took the 20th annual Pac-10 Women's Golf Championship Wednesday at Oro Valley Country Club, with an 879 (+15) total and edging out Arizona State by only one-stroke.

"I'm still a little overwhelmed," said UCLA head coach Carrie Forsyth. "We lost one of our top players (Hannah Jun) before the season in an accident, and she couldn't participate with us this season. I want to dedicate this championship to Hannah. I want to thank this team for putting all their heart into this season. I am so proud of them."

It was the third time in tournament history that the team title was decided by a single stroke. Back in 1996, the Pac-10 Women's Golf Championship was decided by one stroke when Arizona State edged out UCLA, 875-876. Coincidentally, this was the last time the event was held in Tucson.

The Bruins, took the lead in round two, and hung on to win its third consecutive Pac-10 Championship. This win came in spite of the Bruins shooting a tournament high 301 (+13) in round three.

Leading the way for the Bruins was Pac-10 Freshman-of-the-Year Tiffany Joh, who tied with California senior Sophia Sheridan for third place, shooting an even-par 216.

"It was a rough day for me honestly," Joh said. The wind was blowing on the last few holes, the greens firmed up and the pins were tough. I just had to grind out there. Some shots felt good, but they would land in a bad place, and some bad shots ended up in good places."

Arizona State finished with 294 (+6), five strokes better than in round two, and finished with a tournament total of 880 (+16). The Sun Devils were the only team in the field to post a sub- 300 score in each round, Head coach Melissa Luellen was named as the Pac-10 Coach of the Year after the tournament.

"I would have rather won the Pac-10 trophy," Luellen said. "It's a wonderful honor, though, to be recognized by your peers. I very much appreciate the recognition we got for all the hard work we put in."

Despite posting its highest score of the tournament in the final round, California finished in fourth place with a score of 896 (+32).

Host Arizona shot a 298 (+10) in the final round, joining Oregon as the only teams to post its best score in the final round. Arizona finished in fifth place, gaining two spots on the leader board in the final round.

Next up for most of the Pac-10 teams will be the NCAA Regional, which will be held at three sites on May 11th-13th.

The Pac-10 Championships were contested at Oro Valley Country Club, a par 72, 6,495-yard layout.

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