TEMPE, Ariz. – The Sun Devil Women's Golf team put together yet another successful season, proving once again why they are regarded as one of the top programs in the country.
For the 27th consecutive year, Arizona State was selected to compete in a NCAA Regional. They are one of only nine schools to have made an appearance in a regional every season since the regional format was implemented in 1993.
Arizona State is one of nine teams to have both the women's and men's teams qualifying for NCAA championships in 2019. The Sun Devils were joined by Vanderbilt, Duke, Auburn, USC, Stanford, Illinois, Texas, and Wake Forest in earning that distinction.
Forsterling was one of two Sun Devils to play in all 12 tournaments, posting the team's third-lowest scoring average at 74.75. She finished in the Top-20 in five different tournaments, showing flashes of brilliance including recording three rounds in the 60s. Forsterling's first appearance at the NCAA Championship was highlighted by an Eagle on the par-five 15th hole in the second round. Her second-round score of 73 was the best round turned-in by a Sun Devil at the Championships. She posted her first of three 69s on the season when Arizona State hosted Georgia and Denver to open the Spring, the lowest score by an indidviual among the three teams.
Alessandra Fanali joined fellow freshman Alexandra Forsterling in quickly adjusting to the collegiate level, despite joining the line-up midseason. She showed growth in her game throughout the campaign, providing a glimpse into what Sun Devil fans will be in store for over the next few seasons. In her eight tournaments this season, she finished in the Top-30 four times. She put Arizona State in a great position on Day One of the Wildcat Invitational, recording a season-low 67 in the first round. Comfortable at her home course at the PING/ASU Invitational, Fanali finished the tournament under par (-1), earning her a tie for 13th place.
SOFIA ANOKHINA MAKES HISTORY Senior Sofia Anokhina may have only spent one season as a Sun Devil, but she made her presence felt immediately, 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. Anokhina was a big reason why the Sun Devils were able to seal the victory at the Wildcat Invitational, firing a 67 (-5) on the final day of the tournament. She managed to shoot under par (-1) at the Mason Rudolph Invitational to open the season, earning her a tie for 15th.
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. A combination of a highly-regarded incoming recruiting class and improvement from returners give fans plenty to be excited about when it comes to the future of Sun Devil Women's Golf. Follow us on social media (@SunDevilWGolf) for all the latest updates and content during the offseason.
For the 27th consecutive year, Arizona State was selected to compete in a NCAA Regional. They are one of only nine schools to have made an appearance in a regional every season since the regional format was implemented in 1993.
By virtue of their fifth-place finish at the Norman Regional, the Sun Devils qualified for their NCAA-best 35th National Championship. This is the third consecutive year that ASU advanced for a shot at the title under Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye.DYK: @SunDevilWGolf is 1? of 9? programs nationally that has appeared in a regional all 2?7? seasons since the NCAA postseason format changed in 1993 pic.twitter.com/xWR31YuNGv
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) April 30, 2019
Arizona State enjoyed plenty of success as a team, highlighted by a victory at the Wildcat Invitational back in March. The win represented the seventh team title since Coach Farr-Kaye took over and the 87th overall for the program since 1982. The squad finished in the Top-5 at eight different tournaments, including in the Top-3 six times.?? MOVING ON ??@SunDevilWGolf finishes in the Top-6 and clinches a berth in their 3?5?th NCAA Championship! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/aKGkejGn4r
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) May 8, 2019
The 14th-ranked Sun Devils ended up exactly where Golfstat had them ranked in the NCAA Championship Stroke Play standings, as the team earned a spot in the Top-15, tying two other teams for 14th place. In the final Golfstat rankings, Arizona State remained at No. 14.SUN DEVILS WIN! ASU brings home the team title at Arizona's Wildcat Invitational? pic.twitter.com/GXd7fVPxft
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) March 12, 2019
Arizona State is one of nine teams to have both the women's and men's teams qualifying for NCAA championships in 2019. The Sun Devils were joined by Vanderbilt, Duke, Auburn, USC, Stanford, Illinois, Texas, and Wake Forest in earning that distinction.
Coach Farr-Kaye had the benefit of a deep lineup, featuring six talented golfers which provided her many strong options when decided the five who would compete at a given tournament. All six Sun Devils participated in at least eight tournaments, with all of them recording at least one Top-13 finish. RISING STAR OLIVIA MEHAFFEY Junior Olivia Mehaffey enjoyed yet another outstanding season, cementing herself as one of the top golfers at the collegiate level. The Pac-12 Champion and Co-Medalist at the Norman Regional took home three individual titles this season, reaching as high as No. 7 in the Golfstat individual rankings. She was named an Annika Award finalist, collecting honors as media and coaches around the country recognize what she continues to accomplish. An experienced competitor having already been a part of a National Title in 2017, she got to compete in her third consecutive NCAA Championship.It is that time of year again...????@SunDevilWGolf has a tradition unlike any other!
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) May 14, 2019
This is your annual reminder that our 8? National Titles are the most of any NCAA Women's Golf program ?? #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/wfqnQxCgqo
After earning a spot on the WGCA All-American Second Team, she has now received All-American honors for three consecutive years. This is the second straight year that she has taken home second team honors, in addition to earning honorable mention distinction after her freshman season. Mehaffey becomes just the 11th three-time All-American in program history, joining an illustrious group of some of the top names in the sport. She will have a chance to join an even more exclusive club should she land on an All-American team next season, as it would make her just the third four-time All-American at Arizona State. Mehaffey got it done on and off the course, earning a spot on the Pac-12 All-Academic Second Team. Mehaffey was also one of three current members of the Arizona State Women's Golf program to participate in the inaugural Augusta National Women's Amateur. By virtue of her finish in the Top-30, she earned the privilege of playing the prestigious Augusta National Golf Course. Mehaffey returns for her senior season as one of the nation's most accomplished competitors.Pac-12 Title?? ?? Pac-12 Golfer of the Month??
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) May 6, 2019
Congratulations to @OliviaMehaffey for receiving the conference's monthly honor after a fantastic April!
MORE INFO: https://t.co/sJzwWjxgGw pic.twitter.com/cnZ6jerq1P
SURGING SOPHOMORE RAQUEL OLMOS Sophomore Raquel Olmos showed improvement throughout her second season in Tempe, becoming a mainstay in the Sun Devil lineup. Olmos participated in 11 tournaments over the course of the 2018-19 season, posting a stroke average of 74.24, the second highest on the team. She finished in the Top-20 on seven occasions, highlighted by a second-place finish at the Windy City Invitational. Olmos recorded the ultimate achievement in golf in the midst of her career-best second round 66 at the Invitational, registering a hole-in-one on 13. She put together three rounds in the 60s, with her 66 (-6) tying her for the third lowest score to par over 18 holes in school history.After finishing the Norman Regional 8?-under par, Olivia Mehaffey becomes the 8?th Sun Devil to earn at least a share of the Regional Medalist honor! pic.twitter.com/LfXHTblXFC
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) May 8, 2019
Olmos wrapped up her season with a strong showing at the NCAA Championship, finding herself in the Top-50 (T-43rd) of the individual race, tying for the best score by a Sun Devil for the tournament. A reflection of the coaching staff's emphasis on getting it done in the classroom, Olmos was one of two Sun Devils named to Pac-12 All-Academic Team, receiving honorable mention honors. Olmos looks to continue to build off of what she accomplished this year heading into her junior season.??to Raquel Olmos on a hole-in-one on hole 13! #SunDevilTradition pic.twitter.com/1QODTLYCJ0
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) October 1, 2018
SUN DEVIL FOR LIFE MADISON KERLEY The contributions of senior Madison Kerley to the Sun Devil Women's Golf Program extend beyond her playing career. Kerley was a reliable and consistent member of the lineup throughout her four seasons in Tempe. She competed in 11 tournaments in 2018-19, performing well while battling through a midseason injury. Individually, Kerley recorded five Top-30 finishes this season, giving her 19 in her ASU career. Her leadership and experience were integral to the success of the team, as she competed in her second consecutive NCAA Championship.Sun Devil Women's Golf places a pair on the Pac-12 All-Academic teams! ??
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) May 16, 2019
Shout out to Olivia Mehaffey and Raquel Olmos for their hard work & dedication in the classroom ????
??: https://t.co/tElvmZo7LJ pic.twitter.com/vFYTKAniCP
Competing as a graduate student with her Bachelor's degree already in hand, Kerley received her Master's degree in Sports Law and Business from Arizona State in just one year. Already with an appearance on the Pac-12 All-Academic First Team and a WGCA All-American scholar selection to her name, Kerley set a great example on the importance of taking care of business in the classroom to current and future Sun Devils. Her best finish of the 2018-19 season came at the Wildcat Invitational, as she was a major reason why Arizona State took home the team title. Kerley completed the tournament in seventh place, the third Top-10 finish of her career. She went low in the second round of the Stanford Intercollegiate, firing a season-low 69. Kerley leaves a legacy at Arizona State, enjoying one of the most memorable careers by a Sun Devils on and off the course.If only that little girl could see me now ?? #SunDevil4Life pic.twitter.com/f9q0hZPhsb
— Madison Kerley (@madisondion) May 21, 2019
FRESHMAN DUO MAKES INSTANT IMPACT A pair of talented freshmen stepped up in a big way for Coach Missy Farr-Kaye, as she continues to successfully recruit globally. Alexandra Forsterling and Alessandra Fanali are a big reason why the future of Sun Devil Women's Golf is extremely bright. The duo gained valuable experience during their first season in Tempe, competing in a Pac-12 Championship, NCAA Regional, and NCAA Championship.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
Forsterling was one of two Sun Devils to play in all 12 tournaments, posting the team's third-lowest scoring average at 74.75. She finished in the Top-20 in five different tournaments, showing flashes of brilliance including recording three rounds in the 60s. Forsterling's first appearance at the NCAA Championship was highlighted by an Eagle on the par-five 15th hole in the second round. Her second-round score of 73 was the best round turned-in by a Sun Devil at the Championships. She posted her first of three 69s on the season when Arizona State hosted Georgia and Denver to open the Spring, the lowest score by an indidviual among the three teams.
She finished strong at the Bruin Wave Invitational, performing well over the final two rounds to earn a tie for 8th place, giving ASU two individuals in the Top-10. She turned things around in a big way at the Pac-12 Championship, firing a 69 on the final day to move up nine spots into a tie for 16th (+6). The third round improvement was a major factor in the Sun Devils move up to third place in the team standings. Her debut at an NCAA Regional was successful, as she helped the Sun Devils qualify for the NCAA Championship by finishing tied for 27th (+2). With a year under her belt and plenty of experience to lean on, there is a lot of excitement when it comes to the future of this freshman.Alexandra Forsterling caps off a strong back nine at two-under, making her even for the day!
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) May 19, 2019
She has moved up 32 spots so far on the individual leaderboard!
Oh by the way, did we mention she eagled 15? ?? #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/LdzGnE4diu
Alessandra Fanali joined fellow freshman Alexandra Forsterling in quickly adjusting to the collegiate level, despite joining the line-up midseason. She showed growth in her game throughout the campaign, providing a glimpse into what Sun Devil fans will be in store for over the next few seasons. In her eight tournaments this season, she finished in the Top-30 four times. She put Arizona State in a great position on Day One of the Wildcat Invitational, recording a season-low 67 in the first round. Comfortable at her home course at the PING/ASU Invitational, Fanali finished the tournament under par (-1), earning her a tie for 13th place.
A low final round of 69 by Fanali at the Pac-12 Championship helped the Sun Devils catapult into third place as a team while also helping her move up nine spots in the individual standings, finishing in a tie for 13th. The big stage of the NCAA Championship did not affect her play, as she finished Top-50 (T-43th) in the country individually. Her score tied for the lowest by a Sun Devil at the tournament. Fanali was one of three current members of the Arizona State Women's Golf program to participate in the inaugural Augusta National Women's Amateur. With her coming on strong at the end of the season, Fanali figures to play a major role in the success of next year's team.Alessandra Fanali is the first Sun Devil to complete her round at the NCAA Championship! She finishes the day even, while her two playing partners finished +14 and +16 #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/3t7qlFAbxU
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) May 17, 2019
SOFIA ANOKHINA MAKES HISTORY Senior Sofia Anokhina may have only spent one season as a Sun Devil, but she made her presence felt immediately, 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. Anokhina was a big reason why the Sun Devils were able to seal the victory at the Wildcat Invitational, firing a 67 (-5) on the final day of the tournament. She managed to shoot under par (-1) at the Mason Rudolph Invitational to open the season, earning her a tie for 15th.
Anokhina was one of three current members of the Arizona State Women's Golf program to participate in the inaugural Augusta National Women's Amateur. By virtue of her finish in the Top-30, she became the first Russian-born golfer to play at the prestigious Augusta National Golf Course. Supporting her team throughout the postseason, Anokhina was a fantastic teammate and crucial piece to the oustanding chemistry the team shared.A tremendous story by @BrentleyGC on our very own Sofia Anokhina's unlikely journey to Augusta National! She will become the first Russian golfer, male or female, to play at Augusta National when she competes in the final round on Saturday! #ForksUp https://t.co/7V0PY9Nrce
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) April 4, 2019
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. A combination of a highly-regarded incoming recruiting class and improvement from returners give fans plenty to be excited about when it comes to the future of Sun Devil Women's Golf. Follow us on social media (@SunDevilWGolf) for all the latest updates and content during the offseason.