Co-Mountain West Conference Player of the Year Carrie Summerhays just missed winning medallist honors as BYU placed second overall in the Mountain West Conference Championships at Sunbrook Golf Club in St. George, Utah.
Number 14 New Mexico, ranked 14th, was crowned champion thanks to their consistent play and great putting in the final two rounds. The Cougars, led by Summerhays and sophomore Adrianne Gibby, shot a third round 304 to give the Lobos a fight for first place, but in the end, it wasn't enough.
Senior Jordan Lintz of Wyoming shot a final round 71 to slip ahead of Summerhays on the final day and win the Mountain West Championships. Summerhays, whose father Bruce is a standout on the Senior PGA Tour, was disappointed with her second-place finish.
"I feel like I should have won," Summerhays said. "I had two holes that cost me four strokes. I double-bogied on the eleventh and second holes. Other than that, I felt that I played a great round. To be honest, I'm really kind of shocked. I think those two holes cost me the championship."
Two Cougars shot personal bests on the final day. Gibby shot a career low 70 and career-low 54-hole tournament score of 226. Fellow Cougar sophomore Jessica Gardner also had a personal low round of 73 and placed eighth overall.
"It finally felt good today," Gardner said. "I played with total confidence and attacked the holes."
In addition to her Player of the Year honors, Summerhays also collected first-team Mountain West Conference honors after completing a stellar sophomore season in which she lead the Cougars in every tournament.
"I pretty much got everything I set out to accomplish except for the tournament win," Summerhays said. "I'm happy for the way our team played and you've got to feel good about what Jessica and Adrianne did today."
The Cougars, who will most likely receive an NCAA Western Regional invitation, will travel to Ogden to compete in the Weber State Invitational on May 2.
Team Scores
1. New Mexico 311-308-297--916
2. BYU 310-314-304--928
3. Colo. St. 310-319-308--937
4. Wyoming 319-321-320--960
5. San Diego St. 315-320-DQ--DQ
Individual Scores
2. Carrie Summerhays BYU 72-75-77--224
1. Jordan Lintz Wyoming 75-75-71--221
3. Adrianne Gibby BYU 79-77-70--226
(t) Elisa Kase New Mexico 79-78-69--226
4. Ryley Webb New Mexico 76-76-75--227
(t) Claudia Ferrini New Mexico 76-76-75--227
6. Asa Jankler SDSU 76-80-75--231
7. Mayumi Motoyama Colo. St. 76-78-79--233
8. Jessica Gardner BYU 81-80-73--234
BYU Individual Scores
(2) Carrie Summerhays 72-75-77--224
(3) Adrianne Gibby 79-77-70--226
(8) Jessica Gardner 81-80-73--234
Summer Pierce 78-82-84--244
Nicole Parry 82-85-87--254
