Chandler, AZ - The Portland State Vikings took off like a well-struck drive on the opening tee and never looked back, winning the Big Sky Conference Golf Championship by 15 shots over Sacramento State at Octillo Golf Resort.
The two teams entered the day tied for the lead, but the Vikings left no doubt who the top team in the Big Sky is in 2013-14.
Junior A Ram Choi set the pace, birdieing the opening hole on her way to a tournament record-tying and Portland State-tying five-under par 67. Choi won the individual title with a five-under par 211.
Her teammates were just as solid as all five Vikings shot their best round of the week on Tuesday.
Portland State had entered the final round in a tie for first place with the Hornets at 605. With the championship, PSU has now won seven Big Sky Golf titles since 2003 (2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014).
PSU completed the tournament at 299-306-290=895. Sacramento State finished 15 shots behind at 304-301-305=910.
"I'm proud of how they stepped up to the challenge and played with determination and heart today," said Viking Head Coach Kailin Downs. "A Ram has been knocking at the door for some low rounds all spring and she deserves the win. She is by far the best player in the conference."
"It feels great," said Choi. "Honestly the whole time I was playing I was thinking about our team winning. Every stroke I was thinking about making it happen for the team."
"My putting was on today," she continued. "I felt like every putt I had was going to go in.
"A lot of people back home gave me pep talks last night and that made a difference."
Portland State held a one-shot lead over Sacramento State through three holes. The lead increased to five shots through six holes and the Vikings were up by six shots at the turn.
At that point, Choi had four birdies, was four under par and on pace for the Big Sky and Portland State scoring records.
Alyssa Waite also had a terrific front nine, shooting 35 with eight pars and a birdie. Kristin Henno had a run of three straight birdies on nine, 10 and 11, and Madisen Bentley added birdies on 10 and 12.
Choi won the Big Sky individual title by seven shots, posting a five-under par 70-74-67=211. She made six birdies on the day, and her 67 matched her career-best score as well.
Taylor Viquelia of Southern Utah placed second with 76-72-70=218.
Bentley tied for sixth in her first Big Sky Tournament. The freshman posted 75-76-75=226.
Waite finished the day with 74, which was her best round of the week. She completed the Big Sky Championship with 77-78-74=229 in a tie for 11th.
Also with her best day of the week was Henno, who matched Waite's scores in all three rounds. After rallying back from four-over par through eight holes, Henno shot 74 as well - her best round ever at the Big Sky Championship. The Viking sophomore shot 77-78-74=229 and tied with Waite at 11th.
Junior Kelly Miller closed with a final round 79. She shot 81-80-79=240 to place in a tie for 33rd among the 55 players.
With the Big Sky Conference Championship, Portland State advances to the NCAA West Regional at Tumble Creek in Cle Elum, WA on May 8-10.
TAP-INS
• The Vikings won their seventh Big Sky Championship since 2003. PSU won titles in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2014.
• Portland State's 895 total ranks as the ninth-best tournament score in school history. The final round 290 ties for sixth-best in school history.
• BIRDIE WATCH: A Ram Choi had 12 birdies for the tournament. Kristin Henno made seven birdies through 54 holes. Alyssa Waite made six birdies. Madisen Bentley had five birdies. Kelly Miller finished with four birdies.
• A Ram Choi has eight under-par rounds this season, setting a new school record. Britney Yada had six sub-par rounds in 2010-11. Her 67 tied the record she shares with Britney Yada.
• Two players from Northern Colorado withdrew on the final day due to illness. As a result, the Bears were unable to post a team score.
The Big Sky Conference Championship
Ocotillo Golf Resort, Chandler, AZ
Apr. 20-22, 2014
par 72, 6,272 yards
11 teams/55 players
Team Scores
1. Portland State, 299-306-290=895
2. Sacramento State, 304-301-305=910
3. Northern Arizona, 313-305-314=932
4. Montana State, 305-313-315=933
5. Southern Utah, 317-303-295=915
6. Montana, 306-314-304=924
7. Eastern Washington, 314-309-323=946
8. Weber State, 318-318-315=951
9. North Dakota, 327-333-315=975
10. Idaho State, 347-344-339=1,030
DNF. Northern Colorado, 319-320-DNF
Player Scores
1. A Ram Choi, PSU, 70-74-67=211
2. Taylor Viquelia, SUU, 76-72-70=218
3. Lisa Persson, SAC, 75-76-72=223
t4. Kati Greear, MSU, 74-76-75=225
t4. Rockelle Sande, SAC, 76-72-77=225
t6. Madisen Bentley, PSU 75-76-75=226
t6. Kaitlen Parsons, NAU, 72-74-80=226
t6. Janelle Reali, MSU, 76-73-77=226
9. Monica Jung, SUU, 79-76-72=227
10. Kristie Jensen, WSU, 77-74-77=228
t11. Alyssa Waite, PSU, 77-78-74=229
t11. Kristin Henno, PSU, 77-78-74=229
t11. Nicole Thomas, SUU, 80-74-75=229
t11. Barbora Bakova, UM, 77-80-72=229
15. Susana Mejia, NAU, 79-75-77=231
16. Sadie Martin, UND, 76-82-74=232
17. Tiffany Nichols, SAC, 75-80-78=233
t18. Sagee Palavivatana, SAC, 81-75-78=234
t18. Hayley Bingham, UM, 74-76-84=234
t18. Alexa Schendelman, UM, 79-79-76=234
21. Tara Green, UM, 76-79-80=235
t22. Kala Keltz, UNC, 81-81-74=236
t22. Chloe Bartek, SAC, 78-78-80=236
t22. Maddie Dodge, EWU, 82-74-80=236
t22. Paige Crawford, MSU, 76-79-81=236
t22. Hannah Kim, EWU, 80-75-81=236
t27. Marissa Borja, EWU, 78-77-82=237
t27. Taylor Crandall, EWU, 74-83-80=237
t27. Emily Podlesny, WSU, 83-79-75=237
30. Brittany McKee, NAU, 81-79-78=238
t31. Jacquie LeMarr, NAU, 81-77-81=239
t31. Baile Winslow, UNC, 81-76-82=239
t33. Kelly Miller, PSU, 81-80-79=240
t33. Kaceelyn Pouttu, WSU, 76-81-83=240
t33. Lindsay Reeve, UM, 82-82=76=240
36. Rynae Baca, SUU, 82-81-78=241
37. JoJo Sotille, NAU, 84-81-79=244
38. Mikki Kromy, UND, 79-83-83=245
39. Alli Cluff, WSU, 82-84-81=247
t40. Nyomy Obcemea, WSU, 84-84-82=250
t40. Pamela Calderon-Rojas, MSU, 79-85-86=250
t40. Taylor Howell, ISU, 81-83-86=250
43. Dani DelGreco, UND, 90-84-78=252
t44. Hayley Folkvold, MSU, 85-86-82=253
t44. Amanda Fairweather, UND, 89-84-80=253
t44. Alexis Guggisberg, UND, 83-85-85=253
47. Jordan Sunset, UNC, 86-84-86=256
48. Kristin Phillips, ISU, 89-83-85=257
49. Courtney Smith, ISU, 88-89-82=259
50. Sara Callagy, EWU, 91-86-88=265
51. Sydney Smith, ISU, 89-89-90=268
52. Jenna Sharp, ISU, 91-92-86=269
53. Shantell Spackman, SUU, 92-87-96=275
WD. Nicole Okada, UNC, 77-81-WD
WD. Amanda Myers, UNC, 80-82-WD
