Colorado University Athletics
Women’s Golf Celebrates 2018-19 Season
April 20, 2019 | Women's Golf
BOULDER – The University of Colorado women's golf team gathered on Saturday with family, friends, donors and support staff to celebrate the 2018-19 season, as well as the Buffaloes' two seniors, Haley Nist and Gillian Vance.
The program started with head coach Anne Kelly, who is in her 22nd year, welcoming everyone and talking briefly about the season.
"This year has been so interesting," she said. "We really do have a good team. We are hoping for a regional selection, which will be announced on Wednesday, but I am so proud of these young ladies. It has been a roller-coaster year. We had one of our best players, Robyn Choi, who we are so proud of, qualify for the LPGA Tour and turned pro, so that turned our team a little bit. It put everyone in different positions and gave our younger players great experience. It helped our seniors step up. Our junior Kirsty (Hodgkins) really played some good golf. Our freshmen stepped up
"It's been hard for sure, but these ladies have persevered and have persevered through the toughest winter I've ever experienced. I think we only had about five outdoor practices this spring. But, they are a terrific group to work with. They are dedicated and they love CU. I'm just so proud of them and am so fortunate to be their coach."
Kelly then handed out letter awards. Freshmen Malak Bouraeda and Kelsey Webster each earned their first letter, while sophomore Elle Otten recorded her second. The lone junior, Hodgkins, received her third letter and Vance was awarded her fourth letter. Nist, who played one season for the Buffs as a transfer from Oregon State, earned her first letter with CU. Two other Buffs, sophomores Jacklyn Murray and Alisha Lau, both redshirted the season.
Then came time for the special awards, which would usually include the most valuable player, but Kelly explained they would be holding off on handing that award out.
"We've had some great rounds this year," she said. "Kirsty is leading our scoring average and is followed closely by Malak. We've had some great individual tournament performances this year. Kirsty finished third at the Pac-12 Preview and Malak finished second at the UNLV Tournament. We've also had some personal records this year."
At that point, associate director of academics, Mindy Sclaro took to the podium to hand out the award for Outstanding Academic, which was given to Otten. The double major in psychology and business, with an emphasis in accounting, has a cumulative grade point average of 3.823.
"Elle is funny and smart, and she has this problem where she is good at everything in school," Sclaro said. "She is really excellent at maintaining this highest level of academic success and traveling."
Kelly then retook the podium to hand out the most improved award, which was given to Bouraeda.
"She came in and worked so hard from day one and made some big changes in her game," Kelly said. "She has lowered her scoring average a lot this spring, which is hard to do because the courses we play are harder and the weather is tougher. I'm excited for her and her future here."
After that, it was time to focus on the two seniors. Kelly talked about both Nist and Vance and ended by saying, "I wish you all the best. I love you guys."
COLORADO BUFFALOES
The program started with head coach Anne Kelly, who is in her 22nd year, welcoming everyone and talking briefly about the season.
"This year has been so interesting," she said. "We really do have a good team. We are hoping for a regional selection, which will be announced on Wednesday, but I am so proud of these young ladies. It has been a roller-coaster year. We had one of our best players, Robyn Choi, who we are so proud of, qualify for the LPGA Tour and turned pro, so that turned our team a little bit. It put everyone in different positions and gave our younger players great experience. It helped our seniors step up. Our junior Kirsty (Hodgkins) really played some good golf. Our freshmen stepped up
"It's been hard for sure, but these ladies have persevered and have persevered through the toughest winter I've ever experienced. I think we only had about five outdoor practices this spring. But, they are a terrific group to work with. They are dedicated and they love CU. I'm just so proud of them and am so fortunate to be their coach."
Kelly then handed out letter awards. Freshmen Malak Bouraeda and Kelsey Webster each earned their first letter, while sophomore Elle Otten recorded her second. The lone junior, Hodgkins, received her third letter and Vance was awarded her fourth letter. Nist, who played one season for the Buffs as a transfer from Oregon State, earned her first letter with CU. Two other Buffs, sophomores Jacklyn Murray and Alisha Lau, both redshirted the season.
Then came time for the special awards, which would usually include the most valuable player, but Kelly explained they would be holding off on handing that award out.
"We've had some great rounds this year," she said. "Kirsty is leading our scoring average and is followed closely by Malak. We've had some great individual tournament performances this year. Kirsty finished third at the Pac-12 Preview and Malak finished second at the UNLV Tournament. We've also had some personal records this year."
At that point, associate director of academics, Mindy Sclaro took to the podium to hand out the award for Outstanding Academic, which was given to Otten. The double major in psychology and business, with an emphasis in accounting, has a cumulative grade point average of 3.823.
"Elle is funny and smart, and she has this problem where she is good at everything in school," Sclaro said. "She is really excellent at maintaining this highest level of academic success and traveling."
Kelly then retook the podium to hand out the most improved award, which was given to Bouraeda.
"She came in and worked so hard from day one and made some big changes in her game," Kelly said. "She has lowered her scoring average a lot this spring, which is hard to do because the courses we play are harder and the weather is tougher. I'm excited for her and her future here."
After that, it was time to focus on the two seniors. Kelly talked about both Nist and Vance and ended by saying, "I wish you all the best. I love you guys."
COLORADO BUFFALOES
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
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