Wednesday, April 21
Yorba Linda Country Club
Long Beach State University
vs
Big West Championship (Final Round)
Photo by: John Fajardo
Holland Shourds Wins Big West Championship
4/21/2021 2:54:00 PM | Women's Golf
The senior finished two-under par for the tournament and was the individual medalist by one stroke.
YORBA LINDA, Calif. – Patience paid off in a big way for senior Holland Shourds, who waited out the final group after having to wait an extra year but finished the day as the individual champion of the Big West as the Big West Championship concluded on Wednesday at Yorba Linda Country Club.
Shourds began the day in a tie for third place overall in the tournament, and teed off earlier in the day than the other three individual contenders in Cal Poly's Caroline Cantlay, UC Irvine's Megan Yang and UC Davis' Hannah Sun. However, the consistency for Shourds paid off as the senior posted a one-under par 71 on the day, and watched as her competitors fell off in the final holes to secure the championship with a two-under par 214, one stoke in front of Cantlay and Yang who were together in the day's final pairing.
The long wait was worth it, particularly as Shourds had to return for another year after the COVID-19 pandemic ended the 2020 season prematurely. The NCAA granted eligibility relief for those student-athletes, giving the senior one more opportunity, one that she was able to seize.
For Long Beach State, the victory was the third in a row for a Beach individual, as Jennifer Yu and Haley Tygret had won the 2018 and 2019 championships respectively. Shourds, friends and teammates with both players, was finally able to take her place as a champion, winning her first tournament at the Big West Championship, same as the other two. Shourds becomes the fourth individual champion in program history, joining Yu, Tygret and 2007 champion Kay Hoey.
The team as a whole was also able to move up in the standings. Freshman Angelina Kim had the lowest round of the day Wednesday of the 45 competing golfers with a 70, and also finished in the Top 5 with a 1-over par 217 for the tournament.
Sophomore Hunter Pate closed the tournament with an even par 72 to finish in a tie for 12th overall, while freshman Vanessa Richani shot 74, putting the Beach as a team under par for the day. Freshman Chloe Carraway finished in fourth place amongst the team over the three rounds, finishing in a tie for 22nd overall. Overall, the team finished in third place, while Cal Poly snapped Long Beach State's team streak as champions.
In addition to the conference team winners receiving a berth to the NCAA Championships, a new rule allows for individual champions to be automatically qualified for the NCAA Regionals as well. Long Beach State will find out the postseason destination for Shourds when the field is announced on the Golf Channel on April 28 at 11 a.m. PT.
Shourds began the day in a tie for third place overall in the tournament, and teed off earlier in the day than the other three individual contenders in Cal Poly's Caroline Cantlay, UC Irvine's Megan Yang and UC Davis' Hannah Sun. However, the consistency for Shourds paid off as the senior posted a one-under par 71 on the day, and watched as her competitors fell off in the final holes to secure the championship with a two-under par 214, one stoke in front of Cantlay and Yang who were together in the day's final pairing.
Good things come to those that wait! Holland Shourds is your individual @BigWestSports champion! Three straight for @LBSUwomensgolf! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/SC7qCoaHId
— LBSU Women's Golf (@LBSUwomensgolf) April 21, 2021
The long wait was worth it, particularly as Shourds had to return for another year after the COVID-19 pandemic ended the 2020 season prematurely. The NCAA granted eligibility relief for those student-athletes, giving the senior one more opportunity, one that she was able to seize.
For Long Beach State, the victory was the third in a row for a Beach individual, as Jennifer Yu and Haley Tygret had won the 2018 and 2019 championships respectively. Shourds, friends and teammates with both players, was finally able to take her place as a champion, winning her first tournament at the Big West Championship, same as the other two. Shourds becomes the fourth individual champion in program history, joining Yu, Tygret and 2007 champion Kay Hoey.
Senior Holland Shourds into the clubhouse with this par putt, -2 under for the tournament with a one under par 71! Top 5 almost certain with a chance at the top spot. #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/uyfD2kKyq0
— LBSU Women's Golf (@LBSUwomensgolf) April 21, 2021
The team as a whole was also able to move up in the standings. Freshman Angelina Kim had the lowest round of the day Wednesday of the 45 competing golfers with a 70, and also finished in the Top 5 with a 1-over par 217 for the tournament.
Sophomore Hunter Pate closed the tournament with an even par 72 to finish in a tie for 12th overall, while freshman Vanessa Richani shot 74, putting the Beach as a team under par for the day. Freshman Chloe Carraway finished in fourth place amongst the team over the three rounds, finishing in a tie for 22nd overall. Overall, the team finished in third place, while Cal Poly snapped Long Beach State's team streak as champions.
In addition to the conference team winners receiving a berth to the NCAA Championships, a new rule allows for individual champions to be automatically qualified for the NCAA Regionals as well. Long Beach State will find out the postseason destination for Shourds when the field is announced on the Golf Channel on April 28 at 11 a.m. PT.
Players Mentioned
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