MARICOPA, Ariz. – The Penn State women's golf team finished off a magical week in Arizona on Sunday afternoon securing the team championship in the inaugural women's National Golf Invitational after registering the low round of the day with a 5-over, 293, at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club.
The Nittany Lions finished the week 14-over, 288-297-293—878, and 11 shots clear of second place Iowa. Mercer (26-over), Texas State (28-over) and Santa Clara (32-over).
The Hawkeyes closed the gap early on the back nine climbing within a pair of shots of the leaders before Penn State used a 1-under stretch over the final seven holes as a team paced by bogey free stretches from senior classmates Isha Dhruva (Katy, Texas) and Sarah Willis (Eaton, Ohio). Dhruva went 2-under over her final seven holes.
"This was such a great team effort! I am so proud of every single one of them. It was getting close part way through, so that was a bit of a stressor but we stuck with our plan, we played within ourselves," commented head coach Denise St. Pierre. "I am so proud of our play coming in, a couple birdies and an eagle from Michelle, such grit! It made my day, made my year! What a special memory this will always be!"
Sophomore Michelle Cox (Allentown, Pa.) capped off a strong week with a second-place finish following a 3-over, 75, in the final round. Cox's 54-hole total of 3-under, 213, is a collegiate best and one of the top-10 lowest scores in program history.
Senior classmates Isha Dhurva (Katy, Texas) and Sarah Willis (Eaton, Ohio) both finished top-10 for the week in fifth and tied for ninth, respectively. Dhruva carded a 2-over, 74, on Sunday while Willis turned in her best round of the week with an even-par, 72.
Sophomore Drew Nienhaus (St. Louis, Mo.) bounced back from a tough second round to post an even-par, 72, and climb 15 spots and into a tie for 24th for the week.
"Coach just told me to stay patient and trust my game because every shot matters," mentioned Nienhaus. "My putting was really good today and I managed to make a couple birdies which helped a lot."
Senior Taylor Waller (Canonsburg, Pa.) registered a 5-over, 77, to close out the week and round out the team scoring on Sunday.
Full results can be viewed HERE.
