SAN MARCOS – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women's golf team went into the last hole tied with Houston Christian University but got a clutch par putt from sophomore
Miriam Barcalova to secure the Southland Conference (SLC) Championship on Wednesday at Kissing Tree Golf Club.
The Vaqueros posted their second-straight round of even par 288 to clinch the program's first-ever SLC Championship with a program record three-round score of 868, which is also the SLC's second lowest three-round score in the championship.
It's the program's second conference championship after winning the Great West Conference Championship in 2009 but the first-ever with an Automatic Qualifier (AQ). The Vaqueros will find out in which NCAA Regional they will compete in during the NCAA Selection Show on April 29.
Additionally, it's the first-time ever the department has won three conference championships in the same academic year to go along with volleyball and women's indoor track & field championships.
Once again, the Vaqueros used the final five holes to push to the championship as they went a combined eight-under par.
Barcalova and fellow sophomore
Pitchayapa Pungpho finished tied for second with a three-round score of 216. Barcalova, who posted a final round two-over par 74, nearly chipped in after going in the water off the tee on hole 18 setting up the winning par putt.
Pungpho carded a final round one-under par 71 as she turned in a front nine 38 before posting a three-under 33 while closing her round with four-straight birdies.
Junior
Natalia Rodriguez finished tied for sixth with a three-round score of 217 after a final round team-best three-under 69. Rodriguez battled in the front with a couple of birdies and bogeys for an even par 36 before posting a three-under 33 on the back while she birdied three of her last four holes.
Junior
Preston Saiz finished tied for 12
th with a three-round score of 223 after a final round 74. Saiz fought through a tough front nine with a three-over 39 but rattled off seven-straight pars on the back nine before closing out her round with a birdie on hole 17 and a par on hole 18.
Sophomore
Zoe Hobbs finished tied for 22
nd with a three-round score of 227 after a final round 79.
Results
Place |
Team |
Rd 1 |
Rd 2 |
Rd 3 |
Total |
| 1. |
UTRGV |
292 |
288 |
288 |
868 |
| 2. |
Houston Christian |
284 |
295 |
290 |
869 |
| 3. |
Incarnate Word |
300 |
289 |
287 |
876 |
| 4. |
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi |
303 |
295 |
297 |
895 |
| 5. |
East Texas A&M |
305 |
300 |
298 |
903 |
| 6. |
Lamar |
303 |
296 |
306 |
905 |
| 7. |
Stephen F. Austin |
316 |
329 |
319 |
964 |
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