WOLCOTT, Colo. – Freshman
Anna Zanusso claimed her first career medalist honor as a Pioneer at the Golfweek Conference Challenge on Wednesday at the par-72, 6,261 yard Red Sky Golf Club.
Denver finished fourth in the 18-team field with a 54-hole score of 860 (4-under) after posting a final-round score 1-under par (287).
Ole Miss claimed the team title with a three-round total of 849 (15-under); followed by Pepperdine, UCLA to round out the top three.
"We hung right in there today," head coach
Lindsay Kuhle said. "We knew it was going to be tight once the back nine started for second place between UCLA, Pepperdine and us.
"This is the closest team we've had in my seven years of being a head coach, maybe ever here at Denver, which is so fun for me and my assistant coach
Mikayla Tatman to see. We had four of our girls drive up to watch their teammates play today. That just shows you how much they care about each other. Honestly, they helped Anna [Zanusso] a ton, giving her energy to finish strong along with Mary [Weinstein]. It was total team effort."
Zanusso finished 1-under par on the front nine before putting on a show that was highlighted by firing three birdies and an eagle in as many holes on the back nine. The Castelfranco Veneto, Italy native recorded her third straight under-par round (68, 4-under) to finish with a score of 205 (11-under) en route to her first career medalist honor at Denver.
"I am so happy for [Anna]," Kuhle added. "She is a special person and special player. She came into DU ranked 63rd in the world and when we signed her she was ranked in the 300s so we knew how much she was improving and knew she was going to be a great player for us.
"I've seen this finish from her before. I think she was tied for the lead with five holes to go at 8-under and then goes birdie, eagle, birdie, birdie and then unfortunately bogey but still wins by two. She did this two years ago at the Annika Invitational when she won that event."
"She can turn it on and compete but her being mature, confident and in control of her game won her the championship this week," Kuhle said.
Alison Armstrong, competing as an individual, and
Mary Weinstein capped off the tournament with a 1-over par (73) performance in Wednesday's final round. Armstrong finished tied for 12th with a total of 215 (1-under), while Weinstein posted a 219 (3-over) to tie for 24th.
After posting back-to-back over-par rounds,
Alyson Bean carded a 71 (1-under) par to close out the week. The sophomore carded five birdies on the back nine to finish with a three-round score of 223 (7-over) to tie for 39th.
Erika Danielsson tied for 34th with a 54-hole score of 222 (6-over), while
Anna Krekling posted a 229 (13-over), tying for 63rd.
Denver returns to action for the Ron Moore Intercollegiate on Oct. 6 at its home course at the University of Denver Golf Club at Highlands Ranch.
TICKETS:
For all Denver Athletics ticket inquires, call 303-871-GOAL (4625), or visit
DenverPioneers.com. Purchase season tickets for the 2019-20 season by
CLICKING HERE.
SHOP PIONEERS:
Get dressed for Game Day! Get your Pioneers gear at
ShopPioneers.com, the official online store of University of Denver Athletics.
DONATE:
Fans interested in making a donation to the women's golf program can do so by CLICKING HERE. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you in advance for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.
- Our Journey, Our Time -
Like Denver Pioneers and DU Women's Golf on Facebook
Follow @DU_Pioneers and @DU_WGolf on Twitter
