By Cal Aboud and Connor Smith, SDA Media Relations
DUBLIN – Arizona State women’s golf proved to be well represented in the 2016 Curtis Cup, hosted June 10-12 at the par-72, 6,603 Dun Laoghaire Golf Club in Dublin, Ireland.
Competing in all five sessions, Sun Devil senior Monica Vaughn, whose appearance marked the first by a Sun Devil since 2010 and just the second in the last 15 years, collected a cumulative 3-2 record.
A native of Reedsport, Oregon, Vaughn began the three-day event on a high note netting the Robin Burke-led U.S. team two points on Friday, the first day of competition. Paired with Bailey Tardy of Georgia, the American duo defeated Meghan MacLaren and Alice Hewson of England 2 and 1 in fourball, before garnering a 1 up victory over MacLaren and Maria Dunne in foursomes.
After dropping a pair of matches on Saturday, Vaughn capped off a strong showing, defeating Rochelle Morris of England 4 and 3 in singles on Sunday.
Courtesy of a perfect 5-0 outing by UCLA’s Bronte Law – the second immaculate finish in Curtis Cup history – Britain and Ireland garnered an 11 ½-8 ½ victory over the United States.
Playing an integral part in Britain and Ireland’s success, incoming Sun Devil freshman Olivia Mehaffey of Northern Ireland, tallied three points for her squad.
Currently ranked as the No. 8 amateur in the world, Mehaffey paired with Law, defeated Arizona native Hannah O’Sullivan and Mariel Galdiano of Hawaii 2 and 1 to begin play on Friday.
Teamed with Law once again on Saturday, Mehaffey garnered two-consecutive crucial victories over her future teammate Vaughn, defeating the junior and her playing partners – Bethany Wu of California (four-ball) and Bailey Tardy of Georgia (foursome), 3 and 2 in both matches. In singles competition on Sunday, Mehaffey and the Hannah O’Sullivan of the United States halved.
Both Vaughn and Mehaffery faced stiff competition all weekend. Seven of the top-10 amateurs in the world competed in this year’s Curtis Cup, according to the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking. Hannah O’Sullivan, the No. 1 ranked female amateur in the world, was a teammate of Vaughn’s, the No. 17 ranked female amateur, within the United States.
At No. 8 in the world amateur rankings, Mehaffery was the third-highest ranked player on the Britain-Ireland squad behind world No. 2 Duke’s Leona Maguire and No. 4 UCLA’s Bronte Law.
Vaughn and Mehaffery’s respective play is indicative of the bright future of the Missy Farr-Kaye led Sun Devils. Returning their entire roster for the 2016-17 campaign, including reigning Pac-12 individual champion Linnea Strom, the Maroon and Gold will aim to further reinforce the storied tradition of Arizona State women’s golf.
Previous Sun Devils in the Curtis Cup:
2016: Monica Vaughn
2016: Olivia Mehaffey
2010: Jennifer Johnson
2000: Jane Bastanchury-Booth (captain)
1998: Kellee Booth
1996: Kellee Booth
1994: Emilee Klein
1994: Wendy Ward
1992: Amy Fruhwirth
1990: Brandie Burton
1988: Pearl Sinn
1986: Danielle Ammaccapane
1984: Heather Farr
1982: Mari McDougall
1974: Jane Bastanchury-Booth
1972: Jane Bastanchury-Booth
1970: Jane Bastanchury-Booth
1966: Carol Sorenson
1964: Joanne Gunderson-Carner
1964: Carol Sorenson
1962: Joanne Gunderson-Carner
1960: Joanne Gunderson-Carner
1958: Joanne Gunderson-Carner