Saturday, April 15
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
University of North Texas
vs
Conference USA Championship
Photo by: Zach Del Bello
UNT Women Capture Third Straight C-USA Crown
4/15/2023 6:18:00 PM | Women's Golf
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The UNT women's golf team won its third consecutive Conference USA championship on Saturday at PGA National, holding on to earn a three-shot victory over second-place Western Kentucky.
The three-peat is the first for a C-USA team since South Florida won three straight championships from 1998-2000 and sends the Mean Green out winners as they prepare to make the move to The American on July 1.
UNT, which entered the tournament ranked No. 35 in the Golfstat national poll, finished with a 283-295-300 to card 14-over par and was able to hold on late in the final round after struggling through the famed "Bear Trap," the famous stretch of holes 15-17 that ranks as the fourth hardest three-hole stretch in the country and is named after legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus.
"It feels amazing to capture our third straight C-USA title," head coach Michael Akers said. "I was a little uneasy heading into this one, as we were huge favorites. I was in that situation multiple times when I coached at Texas State, and sometimes it's harder when you're expected to win. We knock off highly ranked teams all the time, as we play an extremely difficult schedule and we typically in an underdog position.
"I'm very proud to coach such a hard working team. They deserve every award that comes their way. We will take a few days off to celebrate the victory and then focus on NCAA Regional preparation."
The Mean Green were led by graduate student Patricia Sinolungan, who finished alone in second at even-par for the tournament – one shot back of the individual champion. Junior Ellie Roth, who was the 36-hole co-leader along with Sinolungan, tied for fifth at 4-over, meaning she and Sinolungan earned All-Tournament team status as top-5 finishers. Graduate student Audrey Tan tied for ninth at 6-over, and junior Emilie Ricaud finished 12th at 8-over.
Sinolungan led the field in Par-4 scoring (even-par), Ricaud led the field in Par-5 scoring at 6-under par, and Roth led in total pars with 37.
Next up for the Mean Green will be a third straight trip to the NCAA Regionals, which will take place May 8-10 at various sites around the country. The NCAA Division I Women's Golf Selection Show will be on April 26 at noon and will be broadcast live on Golf Channel.
Fans can follow the program throughout the year on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
RECORD WATCH:
With her eight birdies in the tournament, Tan passed her former teammate and current volunteer assistant coach Lauren Cox (2017-21) by one to become the program's all-time leader in career birdies with 350. ...Sinolungan's first-round eagle gave her six for her career, which ties her with Ricaud. They are both now two eagles shy of breaking the program's career record of seven, held by Randi Gauthier (2000-03). ...The team title is the sixth tournament victory for head coach Michael Akers in his seven years at UNT, which ties him with Jeff Mitchell (2009-16) for most career coaching victories in program history.
The three-peat is the first for a C-USA team since South Florida won three straight championships from 1998-2000 and sends the Mean Green out winners as they prepare to make the move to The American on July 1.
UNT, which entered the tournament ranked No. 35 in the Golfstat national poll, finished with a 283-295-300 to card 14-over par and was able to hold on late in the final round after struggling through the famed "Bear Trap," the famous stretch of holes 15-17 that ranks as the fourth hardest three-hole stretch in the country and is named after legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus.
"It feels amazing to capture our third straight C-USA title," head coach Michael Akers said. "I was a little uneasy heading into this one, as we were huge favorites. I was in that situation multiple times when I coached at Texas State, and sometimes it's harder when you're expected to win. We knock off highly ranked teams all the time, as we play an extremely difficult schedule and we typically in an underdog position.
"I'm very proud to coach such a hard working team. They deserve every award that comes their way. We will take a few days off to celebrate the victory and then focus on NCAA Regional preparation."
The Mean Green were led by graduate student Patricia Sinolungan, who finished alone in second at even-par for the tournament – one shot back of the individual champion. Junior Ellie Roth, who was the 36-hole co-leader along with Sinolungan, tied for fifth at 4-over, meaning she and Sinolungan earned All-Tournament team status as top-5 finishers. Graduate student Audrey Tan tied for ninth at 6-over, and junior Emilie Ricaud finished 12th at 8-over.
Sinolungan led the field in Par-4 scoring (even-par), Ricaud led the field in Par-5 scoring at 6-under par, and Roth led in total pars with 37.
Next up for the Mean Green will be a third straight trip to the NCAA Regionals, which will take place May 8-10 at various sites around the country. The NCAA Division I Women's Golf Selection Show will be on April 26 at noon and will be broadcast live on Golf Channel.
Fans can follow the program throughout the year on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
RECORD WATCH:
With her eight birdies in the tournament, Tan passed her former teammate and current volunteer assistant coach Lauren Cox (2017-21) by one to become the program's all-time leader in career birdies with 350. ...Sinolungan's first-round eagle gave her six for her career, which ties her with Ricaud. They are both now two eagles shy of breaking the program's career record of seven, held by Randi Gauthier (2000-03). ...The team title is the sixth tournament victory for head coach Michael Akers in his seven years at UNT, which ties him with Jeff Mitchell (2009-16) for most career coaching victories in program history.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
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