Cougars Beat Top Teams to Finish Fourth at Invitational

ALBUQUERQUE -- The BYU women's golf team defeated three top-20 teams on the way to a fourth place finish at the Dick McGuire Invitational.

The Cougars placed ahead of No. 5 Oklahoma State, No. 12 Texas A&M and No. 16 UNLV. The team was also just 6 strokes behind No. 18 Pepperdine and seven strokes behind No. 10 New Mexico.

"Knowing we can play with these teams gives us a lot of confidence," BYU coach Sue Nyhus said.

The Cougars' three-round total of 888 came from a remarkably balanced team effort. Only nine strokes separated the Cougars' four scores counted towards the team score.

"Our biggest strength is that our team is so balanced," Nyhus said. "They all have confidence in one another. We're so much deeper this year."

Individually, sophomore Rachel Newren began the season on the right foot by finishing in the top-10. Her seventh place finish was the best among the Cougars. She played a consistent tournament by carding a 72-74-73--219 for an even par.

Newren's older sister, Natalie also finished in the top-10 with a 1-over 220 during the tournament. Natalie shot the Cougars' lowest single-round score of the Invitational with a first-round 69.

After tallying a 78 during the first round, sophomore Alexis Edwards put up consecutive 72's to finish in 14th place. She compiled the lowest score on the team during the last two rounds, stroking four birdies each day.

In the first collegiate tournament of her career, Juli Wightman played as though she were a veteran member of the team. She landed in 36th place after shooting a 77-74-77--228.

Danielle von Armin used the tournament to shake the dust off her clubs after sitting out last year with an injury. The sophomore from Colombia chipped in with a total of 237.

Margaret Gibby who competed in the tournament as an individual also played well. The senior stroked a 233 to finish 54th. Gibby stroked an eagle during the first round of competition.

Although the Cougars are pleased with the way they performed at this tournament, they're not satisfied. The team is anxious to improve on this week's performance.

"I'm very pleased with the way we played," BYU coach Sue Nyhus said. "But we've still got some places to improve and work on."

The team will have the chance to improve when it hits the links again on Monday September 20, 2004 at the Ron Moore Women's Classic at Highlands Ranch, Colo.

Place Team          Score
1.    Georgia       287-299-288--874 (-2)
2.    New Mexico    292-296-293--881 (+5)
3.    Pepperdine    293-299-290--882 (+6)
4.    Brigham Young 296-295-297--888 (+12)
5.    Arkansas      299-296-295--890 (+14)
6.    Oklahoma St.  299-295-297--891 (+15)
7.    Texas A&M     298-306-294--898 (+22)
8.    Baylor        299-304-296--899 (+23)
9.    TCU           300-308-298--906 (+30)
10.   UNLV          297-309-302--908 (+32)
11.   New Mexico St.301-309-299--909 (+33)
12.   Texas Tech.   309-312-305--926 (+50)
13.   Kansas        308-312-307--927 (+51)
14.   Hawaii        305-313-315--933 (+57)
15.   UTEP          307-328-302--937 (+61)
T16.  Northern Arizona 315-320-313--948 (+72)
T16.  San Diego St. 322-316-310--948 (+72)
BYU Golfers
Place Golfer           Score
T7.   Rachel Newren    72-74-73--219 (E)
T10.  Natalie Newren   69-76-75--220 (+1)
T14.  Alexis Edwards   78-72-72--222 (+3)
T36.  Juli Wightman    77-74-77--228 (+9)
T54.  Margaret Gibby*  76-77-80--233 (+14)
T70.  Danielle von Armin 79-75-83--237 (+18)
92 participants
*competing as an individual