FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The 14th-ranked Sun Devil Women's Golf team ended the 2018-19 season at the NCAA Championships, completing the final round of stroke play at Blessings Golf Club on Monday.
Another season full of memorable moments and incredible highlights comes to a close. Appearing in their NCAA-record 35th National Championship, the Sun Devils once again represented themselves and the university extremely well.
"I am proud of this team and how hard they competed and grew as young women and golfers this year," Coach Missy Farr-Kaye remarked after the round.
Battling through these less than ideal conditions, Coach Missy Farr-Kaye's team refused to give in, competing until the very last shot. No more was this reflected than in their 18-stroke improvement on the back nine compared the front. The Sun Devils posted a 314 (+22) on the day, putting them at 952 (+50) for the tournament. That earns the team a tie for 14th place in the 24-team field, giving them an estimated 60 points to help Arizona State Athletics in the Territorial Cup Series tie-breaker. No. 14 ASU managed to finish ahead of a pair of Top-10 teams as well as six Top-25 teams, as even some of the nation's top teams and individuals were not immune to the difficulties of the course.
"We had hoped to make it to Match Play, but it was not in the cards for us this year," Coach Farr-Kaye stated. " We were ranked No. 14 going into the NCAA Championship and finished tied for 14th."
For the second consecutive day, freshman Alexandra Forsterling turned in the best round (+4/77) on the team. She was able to start her day off on the right foot on 10, birdieing her first hole of the round. After a beautifully placed shot on 18 to get her within 15-feet of the hole, she sunk a birdie putt with the perfect pace. Using the momentum gained from her short game, she managed to par seven of her last eight holes to start the back nine. Her +14 over the tournament earned her a tie for 62nd, as she moved up 39 spots over the past two rounds.
"We will continue to work and grow as a team and are excited for next year when we will be hosting the Championship," Coach Farr-Kaye mentioned.
Follow us on social media (@SunDevilWGolf) for all the latest updates and content during the offseason. Stay tuned to thesundevils.com for a season recap and a look at what the Sun Devils are up to this summer.
Another season full of memorable moments and incredible highlights comes to a close. Appearing in their NCAA-record 35th National Championship, the Sun Devils once again represented themselves and the university extremely well.
"I am proud of this team and how hard they competed and grew as young women and golfers this year," Coach Missy Farr-Kaye remarked after the round.
Heading into the final round needing to make up a five-stroke deficit to move into eight place, Arizona State remained in contention for a spot in Match Play a majority of the day. Stormy conditions began to take their toll on the golfers in the afternoon groups, as the Sun Devils had to not only navigate an extremely challenging golf course, but also deal with a significant amount of wind and eventually rain. At one point, the round was delayed for over an hour due to weather in the area in the midst of ASU's back nine. Later in the evening, six teams remained on the course when the round was called due to darkness. They will finish their rounds tomorrow morning to finalize the team and individual standings.To the best fans in the country, THANK YOU for all your support this season! #SunDevilNation #ArizonaSt8te pic.twitter.com/io44vXqzi5
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) May 21, 2019
Battling through these less than ideal conditions, Coach Missy Farr-Kaye's team refused to give in, competing until the very last shot. No more was this reflected than in their 18-stroke improvement on the back nine compared the front. The Sun Devils posted a 314 (+22) on the day, putting them at 952 (+50) for the tournament. That earns the team a tie for 14th place in the 24-team field, giving them an estimated 60 points to help Arizona State Athletics in the Territorial Cup Series tie-breaker. No. 14 ASU managed to finish ahead of a pair of Top-10 teams as well as six Top-25 teams, as even some of the nation's top teams and individuals were not immune to the difficulties of the course.
"We had hoped to make it to Match Play, but it was not in the cards for us this year," Coach Farr-Kaye stated. " We were ranked No. 14 going into the NCAA Championship and finished tied for 14th."
For the second consecutive day, freshman Alexandra Forsterling turned in the best round (+4/77) on the team. She was able to start her day off on the right foot on 10, birdieing her first hole of the round. After a beautifully placed shot on 18 to get her within 15-feet of the hole, she sunk a birdie putt with the perfect pace. Using the momentum gained from her short game, she managed to par seven of her last eight holes to start the back nine. Her +14 over the tournament earned her a tie for 62nd, as she moved up 39 spots over the past two rounds.
Sophomore Raquel Olmos score entering the day was tied for the best by a Sun Devil and it would remain that way after her final round. She fired a 78 (+5) to move her to +11 for the tournament, tying her for 43rd, putting her in the Top-50 among a field of 132 of the top female collegiate golfers. Her first birdie of the day came on 15, where she was able to sink a putt on the par five hole. Finishing her second NCAA Championship on a high note, she completed an even back nine. The birdie on the par-three third hole was a big reason why she was able to accomplish that feat.Are you kidding me Alexandra Forsterling?!?!? ??
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) May 20, 2019
Perfect pace on a LONG ?? putt from the edge of the green! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/K4sRWNugbF
Matching Olmos in finishing with the best score of the tournament, freshman Alessandra Fanali also tied her teammate for the lowest total on the team. Thanks to her 78 (+5), her final tally for the tournament was +11, putting her in the Top-50 (T-43rd) in her first NCAA Championship appearance. After a slow start to her day, she found her rhythm to finish the round extremely strong. She went one-under over her last 13 holes, highlighted by birdies on 15 and 2. For the second time this tournament, she recorded back-to-back birdies on six and seven.? 7?? Top-20 finishes
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) May 21, 2019
? Second place at the Windy City Invitational
? Hole-in-one
? 3?? rounds in the 60s
No such thing as a sophomore slump for Raquel Olmos! pic.twitter.com/JpVXxsoAsx
Senior Madison Kerley caps a decorated Sun Devil career at her second NCAA Championship. During her time at Arizona State, Kerley excelled on and off the course. Her impact on the program will be felt for years to come. She was one of four Sun Devils to dramatically improve on their back nine, cutting four strokes compared to her front nine as she settled in throughout the day. Part of that came from the confidence built off of a birdie on two, a hole that treated the team well (-2). Kerley competed in 38 tournaments plus many other shorter events during her four-year collegiate career, finishing the Top-15 17 times. Kerley gives Arizona State four individuals who finished in the Top-75 (T-74th).? 3?? Top-15 finishes
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) May 21, 2019
? Carded a 6??7??
? Second place at the Wildcat Invitational
? Continued to improve her game throughout the season
Alessandra Fanali made an instant impact as a freshman! pic.twitter.com/fQ8xvLpLje
If her junior season was any indication, the best has yet to come for Olivia Mehaffey as she continues to improve her game year-after-year. The Pac-12 Champion and Co-Medalist at the Norman Regional took home three individual titles this season, sitting at No. 7 in the latest Golfstat rankings. An Annika Award finalist, Mehaffey was more than worthy of the recognition she received for her play this season. An experience competitor having already been a part of a National Title in 2017, she got to compete in her third consecutive NCAA Championship. Mehaffey's best hole of the day came on the par-three 13th hole, as she only needed two shots on her way to recording a birdie. She also shaved four strokes off her score on the back nine compared to the front nine, managing to par seven of the nine holes.And that's my Sun Devil story... What's yours?
— Madison Kerley (@madisondion) May 21, 2019
Forever thankful for the best 4 years at my absolute dream school. I am so proud to be a Sun Devil for life. ?? pic.twitter.com/TgWZbzktQA
Senior Sofia Anohkina may have only spent one season as a Sun Devil, but she made an instant impact making a seamless transition to Arizona State. She competed in eight events for the Maroon & Gold this season, with a pair of Top-15 finishes to her name. Anohkina was a big reason why the Sun Devils were able to capture the team title at the Wildcat Invitational, firing a 67 (-5) on the final day of the tournament. She also was invited to the inaugural Augusta National Women's Amateur, becoming the first Russian-born golfer to play at the prestigious Augusta National Golf Course.? Pac-12 Champion
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) May 20, 2019
? Regional Co-Medalist
? 3?? Individual victories
? @TheAnnikaAward Finalist
? Pac-12 All-Academic 2nd Team
What a junior season for @OliviaMehaffey! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/534zjKzOH1
Arizona State will have to find a way to replace two extremely important members of the program with two seniors wrapping up their collegiate careers. With the combination of continuously improving returners as well as a talented incoming recruiting class, there is a lot to be excited about when it comes to the future of Sun Devil Women's Golf.? 2?? Top-15 finishes in 8?? events
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) May 21, 2019
? Carded a 6??7?? on the final day to help the Sun Devils win the Wildcat Invitational
? First Russian-born golfer to compete at Augusta
? #1 Cheerleader at NCAA's
Despite spending only one season as a Sun Devil, Sofia Anohkina left her mark! pic.twitter.com/xzMSOMfzvK
"We will continue to work and grow as a team and are excited for next year when we will be hosting the Championship," Coach Farr-Kaye mentioned.
Follow us on social media (@SunDevilWGolf) for all the latest updates and content during the offseason. Stay tuned to thesundevils.com for a season recap and a look at what the Sun Devils are up to this summer.