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Failing to reach the NCAA Finals the last two years by a single stroke, the University of Colorado women’s golf team turned the tables Wednesday. The Buffaloes finished sixth at the San Francisco Regional after posting a 5-over, 869 to advance to the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships for just the second time in program history and first since 2012.
After being left out of the NCAA's by one stroke the past two years, @CUBuffsWGolf flipped the script at the San Francisco Regional. @RyanLavnerGC and Alexandra @OlaughlinGC have the details in this @TaylorMadeGolf Golf Central Update. pic.twitter.com/tCxPqS3OEg
— Golf Central (@GolfCentral) May 10, 2018
”Interesting day for the team,” Colorado head coach Anne Kelly told CUBuffs.com. “Really proud of them and happy for this group to make it through to the finals. We have been on the other side of the bubble the last two years and it feels good to be on this side.”
We did it. @CUBuffsWGolf is advancing to Nationals! COngratulations!! What a day
— Rick George (@RickGeorgeCU) May 9, 2018
Senior Brittany Fan was the Buffaloes low individual finishing tied for sixth with a 5-under, 211. Sophomore’s Robyn Choi (1-under, 215) and Kirsty Hodgkins (even par, 216) also finished in the top-20. ”It’s really special for me as a senior,” Fan explained to CUBuffs.com. “but also for everyone for what we went through the last two years. We’re excited and looking forward to it.”
It's official! Stillwater here we come! Buffs rally to finish sixth at San Francisco Regional, advance to NCAA Finals May 18-23! pic.twitter.com/49PQhvkO4e
— Colorado Buffaloes Women's Golf (@CUBuffsWGolf) May 9, 2018
Currently ranked 28thin the nation by GolfStat.com, the Buffaloes were one of seven Pac-12 teams to punch their ticket to the 24-team Finals. Stanford and UCLA finished first and second to join Colorado from the San Francisco Regional. Defending national champion Arizona State (T4) and USC (3rd) advanced out of the Madison, WI Regional, while Arizona (4th) and Washington (5th) made it through the Tallahassee, FL Regional. Since 2011, five different Pac-12 programs have won the NCAA title – UCLA (2011), USC (2013), Stanford (2015, Washington (2016) and Arizona State (2017).
This month’s Championships will be conducted May 18-23 at Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Golf Channel will provide live coverage for the final three days of the championships May 21, 22 and 23.