Anonymous | Posted: 21 Sep 2004 | Updated: 8 Nov 2020

Cougars Hold On for Third Place at Ron Moore Classic

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DENVER -- Mother Nature dealt the Cougars a tough hand Tuesday at the Ron Moore Classic, but the women's golf team fought through the rain and cold to hold on for a third-place finish.

With temperatures in the mid-40s and a driving rain nearly the entire day at the par-72 Highlands Ranch Golf Course, just two golfers shot even par and scores shot up by nearly four strokes, with the 89-golfer field averaging 82.26 in the final round.

BYU Assistant Coach Dave DeSantis said there was a 35-degree difference in temperature from Monday to Tuesday. Such a drop in temperature can cause a lot of problems he said.

"It's a real endurance test," DeSantis said. "The bad weather only magnifies any bad shots you make."

Despite all the problems from the weather, the Cougars still managed to find a lot of positives on a cloudy day.

"The only reason we make mistakes is to learn from them," BYU Coach Sue Nyhus said. "We're going in the right direction."

Nyhus's positive attitude carries over to her players and assistants.

"We got a lot of learning in today," DeSantis said. "But everyone's in good spirits."

And the Cougars have reason to be in good spirits. Three Cougars finished in the top-20, same as last week's impressive run at the Dick McGuire. Natalie Newren tied for seventh, Margaret Gibby landed one stroke back in tenth and Rachel Newren shot a 230 to tie for 16th place.

Natalie Newren led the tournament in eagles with two. Rachel added 10 birdies, second most in the tournament. Gibby shot the Cougars' lowest score of the rain-soaked third round with a 77.

Sophomore Alexis Edwards played well during the third round until she was disqualified because of a ball provision.

The Classic provided a rare opportunity for all seven Cougar golfers to participate in an event.

The freshman duo of Juli Wightman and Ashley Childers tied for 27th place, an impressive feat considering the tournament was Wightman's second as a collegian and Childers's first. Wightman shot a 76-75-82--233 and Childers a 73-77-83--233. Competing as an individual, Childers carded an impressive eight birdies in the tournament.

Danielle von Arnim also competed as an individual. She played well in the first two rounds but was bothered by the weather during the third round to place in a tie for 69th.

The Cougars will try to dry out in time for the Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational in two weeks. Nyhus said the team is already looking forward to the next tournament, after all as Nyhus always says with a big smile on her face: "It's only the beginning of a great season."

Rk.  School                  Scores

1 San Francisco, U. of 291 302 315 908 +44

2 Iowa State Univ. 303 306 300 909 +45

3 Brigham Young Univ. 299 289 324 912 +48

4 Denver, Univ. of 301 307 313 921 +57

5 Colorado State Univ. 299 306 317 922 +58

6 UC - Irvine 306 301 319 926 +62

Colorado, U. of 306 311 309 926 +62

8 Nevada, U. of 293 313 330 936 +72

9 Texas El Paso, U. of 311 308 318 937 +73

10 Long Beach State 310 315 314 939 +75

11 Portland State Univ. 301 320 327 948 +84

12 Northern Arizona U. 315 318 322 955 +91

13 Wyoming, U. of 305 307 346 958 +94

14 Weber State Univ. 316 310 339 965 +101

Arkansas-Little Rock 312 317 336 965 +101

16 Northern Colorado 312 328 332 972 +108

BYU Golfers

Rk. Golfer Scores

T7 Natalie Newren 74 73 78 225

10 Margaret Gibby 76 73 77 226

T16 Rachel Newren 75 68 87 230

T27 Juli Wightman 76 75 82 233

T27 Ashley Childers* 73 77 83 233

T69 Danielle von Arnim* 79 79 89 247

DQ Alexis Edwards 74 78 DQ

89 participants

*competed as an individual

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