RAIN SUSPENDS BIG 12s, BUFFS FINISH 12th

Friday, April 23

College Station, Texas

All Day

Colorado

All Rounds

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

April 25, 2004 | Women's Golf

By: CUBuffs.com

COLLEGE STATION, Texas ? Continuous rain, thunder and lightening delays suspended the third and final round of the eighth annual Big 12 Women's Golf Championships at the Pebble Creek Country Club here Sunday afternoon and with the tournament in the books, the Buffs will finish a disappointing 12th, their lowest finish ever in a conference tournament and lowest since the 1998 season. Tee times were slated for 7 a.m. (MT), but heavy rains sent players to the practice range. Officials had hoped for a shotgun start at 11:30, then called the tournament at approximately 1 p.m.

With 36 holes played, Texas will claim its second conference title, first since 1997. The Longhorns totaled a two-round 592 for a seven stroke edge over runner-up Texas A&M (599). Three-time defending champion Oklahoma State (606), finished third. The Cowgirl's Annie Thurman (69-68-137) claimed medalist honors after taking over the leaderboard Saturday, seven strokes ahead of Janice Olivencia (72-72-144) and first round leader Perry Swenson (69-76-145) of Texas.

Sunday marked the official end of Colorado's 2003-04 season. The Buffs will graduate just two seniors, Kimber Westbrook and Robin Worthington, and return eight letterwinners, including the five that played this weekend, “It was disappointing to end the season this way, but we've got a lot to look forward to. We've got a lot of talent returning next year with the younger players gaining some valuable experience. I think this tournament will motivate everyone to practice hard over the summer and get ready for next year,” said head coach Anne Kelly.

Hannah Hoch will go down as the Buffs' low score as the freshman carded a 76-776-152 for CU's lone top-20 finish, coming in at 16th. She will also go into the CU record books with the lowest freshman season strokes per average (76.9) which is the third lowest all-time. Sophomore Maria Persson Gulda (73-81-154), finished 25th, junior Allison Rella (83-79-162) 49th, and freshmen Regina Rodriguez (77-87-164) 54th and Lindsay Koth (83-86-169), 58th.

“The first day I didn't putt very well. I had a lot more opportunities in the first round, had a couple of bad holes, but stayed patient.” said Hoch. “Saturday I didn't hit as many greens in regulation and didn't make as many birdie putts. Now we know what we need to do for next season.”

BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP (College Station, Texas)

1. Texas............................. 292-300- 592

2. Texas A&M.................... 294-305- 599

3. Oklahoma State............. 306-300- 606

4. Oklahoma...................... 299-308- 607

5. Baylor............................ 304-304- 608

6. Missouri......................... 311-299- 610

7. Texas Tech.................... 306-305- 611

8. Kansas.......................... 305-312- 617

9. Kansas State................. 308-310- 618

10. Nebraska....................... 315-307- 622

11. Iowa State...................... 312-317- 629