BUFFS FINISH SECOND AT PTARMIGAN

FORT COLLINS, Colo. ? Hannah Hoch finished second for the second time of her career when the sophomore carded a 1-under par 73-71-71-215, just two strokes off the winning pace at the sixth annual Ptarmigan/ Ram Fall Classic here Tuesday. As a team the Buffs carded a final round 8-over-par 296 to bring their three-round total to 902 to also finish second, their highest team finish since a runner-up showing in this tournament in 2001.

“Everyone is really happy to start the season with a second place finish, but what I like even better is that they're already talking about practice tomorrow and about how they can get better. This team has a great work ethic and even greater determination,” said head coach Anne Kelly.

Host Colorado State won its own tournament, as the Rams fired a 12-over-par 292-289-295-876 with 26 strokes to spare over Colorado (302-304-296-902) and San Jose State (299-297-306-902) who split the runner-up finish . Kansas State and defending champion San Francisco tied for fourth with a three-round 907. Fresno State's Laura Luethke took medalist honors, shooting a 3-under 68-74-71-213, just two ahead of Hoch. Long Beach State's Kay Hoey and USF's Jessica Potter finished third (216).

A year ago, Hoch became the highest finishing freshman in program history when she finished second at the Ron Moore Women's Intercollegiate (where the Buffs play next week). Today, she became the highest finishing sophomore. Her 54-hole score 215 was also a three round best for the Turlock, Calif. native.

“I definitely left a stroke out there. I had a lot of birdies, then I'd give them back,” said Hoch. ?I missed a short putt on the last hole which was frustrating. I was hitting the ball well, then I'd make small mistakes that proved costly. But I'm pretty happy to finish second in just the first tournament of the season.”

Allison Rella made the team's biggest first to second day jump as the senior was in a three-way for 32nd after Monday's second round, and shaved six strokes off her second to third round score to card a final loop 73 to close out the tournament with a 226, good for a share of 19th place with teammate Maria Persson Gulda (76-75-75-226) who turned in her second highest finish in three years of playing at Ptarmigan.

Redshirt freshman Lindsay Senger (79-79-77-235) inched up four places on the leaderboard to finish 50th to score in her first collegiate tournament after carding a collegiate low 77 Tuesday. Junior Jessie Malcolm (80-82-80-242) remains in 66th place after today's final round.

The Buffs remain close to home next week when they play at the Ron Moore Women's Intercollegiate in Highlands Ranch, Colo. On September 20 and 21st.

“This is such a great way to start the year,” concluded Hoch. “A little success helps our confidence and motivation levels,” added Kelly.

COLORADO IN FIFTH AFTER TWO ROUNDS OF PTARMIGAN/2-2-2

PTARMIGAN RAM FALL CLASSIC

Ptarmigan Country Club (Fort Collins, Colo.)

TEAM SCORES

1. Colorado State....... 292-289-295- 876

2. COLORADO.......... 302-304-296- 902

San Jose State....... 299-297-306- 902

4. Kansas State.......... 298-300-309- 907

San Francisco........ 290-313-304- 907

6. Long Beach State... 304-303-305- 912

7. Boise State............ 298-312-307- 917

8. Fresno State.......... 302-309-308- 919

9. Denver................... 312-303-305- 920

Portland State......... 305-305-310- 920

11. Montana................. 306-304-313- 923

12. Nevada.................. 309-319-296- 924

13. Northern Colorado.. 310-317-317- 944

14. Arkansas State....... 309-315-323- 947

Montana State........ 314-318-315- 947

16. Wyoming............... 315-319-319- 953

17. Weber State........... 327-320-309- 956

18. Gonzaga................ 323-320-321- 964

COLORADO PLAYERS

2. Hannah Hoch......... 73-71-71- 215

t19. Allison Rella............ 74-79-73- 226

t19. Maria Persson Gulda76-75-75- 226

t50. Lindsay Senger...... 79-79-77- 235

t66. Jessica Malcolm..... 80-82-80- 242

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Hannah Hoch

Jessie Malcolm

Maria Persson-Gulda

Allison Rella

Lindsay Senger

Colorado University Athletics