FOURTH ROUND RECAP – MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021
Stanford claimed both the individual champion and top team seed after Rachel Heck rallied The Cardinal with her 8-under 280 (69-67-70-74) overall to earn the stroke play title at the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship on Monday at Grayhawk Golf Club. She credited her Coach Anne Walker for the outstanding effort.
“I was so grateful to have her there with me, she keeps me smiling and keeps me laughing, telling me funny stories. No matter what’s going on we’re walking down the fairway chatting, so it’s really cool to have her by my side coaching me through it all.”
UCLA’s Emma Spitz was on the course early and fired a 68 in her final round to finish at 7-under 281 (72-70-71-68) and finished second.
Sun Devil Women’s Golf fortunately fell into the No. 7 seed, taking on Duke starting at 6:20 AM MST today (May 25) on hole #1. A reminder that parking and admission are free, so join the many Sun Devil fans that have already showed their support over the past four days.
“It was a stressful day that required a lot of scoreboard watching, but we are grateful to be advancing to match play,” Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye remarked. “This is the stage we wanted to get to all along and we are excited for the challenge of playing a very talented Duke team.”
Freshman Ashley Menne was outstanding in her first NCAA Championship, proving to be one of the best in the loaded 132-golfer field. Menne finished in fourth place thanks to a strong ending, the highest finish by a Sun Devil at NCAA’s since Monica Vaughn won the Individual Title back in 2017.
“Ashley Menne had some clutch birdies today, most importantly the last two holes,” Coach Farr-Kaye complimented. “For a freshman to do that with so much pressure, it speaks to her maturity and comfort in the spotlight. Ashley finished fourth as an individual, which is a tremendous accomplishment. I can tell you she is not done succeeding at this golf course.”
Menne becomes the 23 individual in the program since 1982 to finish in the Top-5, a list that includes current Associate Head Coach Michelle Estill. She came through with several clutch birdies down the stretch, including back-to-back on 17 and 18 responding well to the pressure. She shot a 72 (E), tied for the best round by a Sun Devil today to finish -3 (285).
“I am so thrilled to have been able to finish 4th this week on the biggest stage in women’s collegiate golf,” Ashley Menne reflected. “Having supportive teammates, coaches, and friends really make this week memorable and most of all ridiculously fun. I cannot wait to get it done in match play with my girls.”
