Competing for the first time since November, the top-ranked Stanford women’s golf team rolled to a wire-to-wire win in the 22nd Peg Barnard Invitational on Saturday and Sunday at soggy Stanford Golf Course.
Sparked by individual champion Andrea Lee, the Cardinal recorded rounds of 286-285 for a 3-over par total of 571, 10 strokes ahead of runner-up Oregon at 13-over 281 (292-289). Colorado took third at 19-over 587 (293-294).
It marked the ninth time Stanford has won the tournament.
“Good team effort,” said Anne Walker, the Director of Women’s Golf. “Always pleased with a W.”
Lee, a freshman from Hermosa Beach, California, captured her third title of the season, previously prevailing at the Windy City Collegiate Challenge and the East Lake Cup. She fired a pair of 4-under 67s to finish at 8-under 134, six strokes ahead of Kelsey Ulep of Oregon (71-69, 140). Robyn Choi of Colorado garnered third (70-72, 142).
Lee became the sixth Cardinal to earn medalist honors in the event. Her three wins are the most by a Stanford player since 2012-13, when freshman Mariah Stackhouse won twice.
Lee is now tied for fourth in career wins (3) at Stanford with four-time All-American Stephanie Keever.
“She’s the real deal,” Walker said. “I always make the comment that everyone has something they need to get a little better at, but Andrea was pretty flawless. She just needs to keep on doing it.”
On Saturday, Lee registered five birdies and one bogey, missing only one green in regulation. She did the same Sunday, carding birdies at 11, 12, 14 and 15 to tour the back nine in 4-under 32.
“I played really solid golf on the front nine,” said Lee. “Got to the back and started making some putts. Dropped a couple 15 to 20 footers and made a 35-footer for birdie at 14. Really satisfied with the way I played.”
Lee started the final round with a three-stroke advantage and never surrendered it on a cool, sunny day.
“I wasn’t going to change my game plan,” she said. “I just played my own game. This is definitely going to boost my confidence, especially since it’s the first tournament of the spring.”
Lee got plenty of help from her teammates, as Stanford fielded A and B teams. Senior Casey Danielson finished strong with a 69 to claim fourth at 1-over 143 (74-69).
Freshmen Albane Valenzuela (71-75) and Madie Choi (71-75) tied for eighth at 4-over 146.
Senior Quirine Eijkenboom (73-74) tied for 11th at 5-over 147, while freshman Ziyi Wang (74-74) tied for 15th at 6-over 148. Junior Shannon Aubert rallied Sunday to earn a share of 18th (77-72) at 7-over 149.
Senior Jisoo Keel (76-79) placed 45th at 13-over 155, and sophomore Sierra Kersten (77-80) tied for 48th at 15-over 157.
“It was a good team effort and I loved seeing those three freshmen do well,” said Walker. “Casey bounced back today, which I knew was going happen. The big takeaway, regardless of the win, was I saw a ton of stuff that we need to brush up on.”
The victory was Stanford’s first of the season after two seconds and two thirds in four starts during the fall. Since assuming head coaching duties in 2012-13, Walker has now guided her squads to wins or a share of 13 tourney titles, including the program’s first NCAA championship in 2015.
After Sunday’s latest, Walker thanked superintendent Ken Williams and his crew for getting the course into great shape after several weeks of rain.
“Can’t say enough about the job they did,” she said.
The Cardinal return to competition Feb. 19-21 at the All-State Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate at English Turn Golf & Country Club in New Orleans, Louisiana.
By Mark Soltau/Stanford Athletics
By Mark Soltau/Stanford Athletics
By Mark Soltau/Stanford Athletics