Woodbury, Minn.—A season of new beginnings for the San José State women's golf team started with its rookie head coach Dana Dormann and freshman Natasha Andrea Oon leading the Spartans to the team and individual titles at the Minnesota Invitational Tuesday afternoon at the Prestwick Golf Club in Woodbury, Minn.
The Spartans shot a three-over 291 in the final round and finished the tournament at four-under 860, to claim the team title by 12 shots over Virginia Tech. San José State led the field in birdies made with 49, and in par-four scoring with a 4.07 average. The team made 14 birdies in the final round.
Oon finished her first collegiate tournament by shooting a two-under 70 and ended the tournament at nine-under 207. She won the individual title by six shots over Emily Mahar of Virginia Tech. Oon led the field in birdies made with 13, and in par-four scoring at five-under par and a 3.83 scoring average on those holes.
Oon made the final round a memorable one as she ended the third round with an eagle on the par-five, 500-yard 18th hole. She made two birdies, two bogeys and 13 pars during the round.
"I am very happy to shoot my personal best and win my first collegiate tournament," said Oon. "It is also so nice that we won the team title too.
"On my eagle, I hit a really good drive with help from the wind. I had about 196 yards to the hole and hit a hybrid to the right of the pin. The ball hit the edge of the bunker and rolled near the pin. I then made a seven-foot putt for the eagle."
Three Spartan players finished the tournament in the top-10. After Oon's first-place finish, Abegail Arevalo finished in eighth place at even-par 216, while Alexandra Cooper tied for ninth at one-over 217. Arevalo shot a one-under 71 in the final round, making four birdies and 11 pars during the round. Cooper shot a two-over 74 on Tuesday and made birdies on holes 1, 9 and 18.
Franziska Friedrich tied for 29th at six-over 222, after shooting a 76 and making three birdies in the final round. Samantha Bruce tied for 53rd in her first collegiate tournament, shooting a 78 in the final round with two birdies made.
"We are very excited for this win," said Dormann. "We made lots of birdies and are excited to continue this throughout the season. Natasha was amazing this tournament, and the rest of the team elevated their games as well.
"We had a lot of good putting on this course, and having Pat (Hurst) here helped us well. I think a big key to our improvements is the Spartan Golf Complex which allowed us to get our games in shape and will allow us to continue to do well."
For the second time in three seasons, the Spartans have won the team and individual titles at their season-opening tournament. The 2016-17 team won the Ptarmigan Ram Classic by 14 strokes, while former Spartan My Leander won the individual title by one shot.
San Jose State returns to competition on September 24 and 25 at the Couer d'Alene Collegiate Invitational.
Minnesota Invitational
Prestwick Golf Club
Woodbury, Minn.
Final Team Standings
1. San José State 282-287-291-860 -4
2. Virginia Tech 283-290-299-872 +8
3. Louisville 292-290-291-873 +9
4. East Carolina 288-282-304-874 +10
5. Kentucky 294-286-300-880 +16
6. Middle Tennessee 283-297-301-881 +17
7. Notre Dame 292-295-295-882 +18
8. Oklahoma 290-298-295-883 +19
8. Kansas 297-295-291-883 +19
10. Missouri 295-294-297-886 +22
11. North Texas 300-289-310-899 +35
12. Rutgers 297-300-303-900 +36
13. San Francisco 296-297-309-902 +38
14. Minnesota 308-294-306-908 +44
15. South Dakota State 290-300-311-909 +45
Final Individual Standings
1. Natasha Andrea Oon, San José State 67-70-70-207 -9
2. Emily Mahar, Virginia Tech 70-71-72-213 -3
3. Hanley Long, Middle Tennessee 71-71-72-214 -2
3. Yi-Tsen Chou, Kansas 76-70-68-214 -2
3. Grace Kellar, Minnesota 73-68-73-214 -2
Final San José State Results
1. Natasha Andrea Oon 67-70-70-207 -9
8. Abegail Arevalo 74-71-71-216 E
9. Alexandra Cooper 69-74-74-217 +1
29. Franziska Friedrich 72-74-76-222 +6
53. Samantha Bruce 77-72-78-227 +11
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