Newcomers Showcase Future of Cougar Golf

FORT COLLINS -- The BYU women’s golf team finished up play at the Ptarmigan Ram Fall Classic on Tuesday, finishing 10th in the first tournament of the year. Several new faces proved to be the story for the Cougars as freshman Kelsey Vines and junior transfer Emily Copier had strong performances in their first action as BYU golfers.

“We have a very promising young team,” said BYU head coach Sue Nyhus. “It was exciting that Kelsey and Emily (Copier), our newcomers, had strong tournaments and we got good scores out of everyone at least one day. We have some refining to do and things to work on, but we’re upbeat and excited for the rest of the season.”

Vines, a true freshman, was the top Cougar golfer in the event, finishing tied for 29th overall with an overall score of 5-over-par (71-74-76--221). She completed her very first round of BYU under par at -1 on Monday before tying for the team low score in the second round at +2 and posting a score of 4-over-par on the final 18 holes , just one stroke off the BYU low of the third round. Displaying nerves of steel, Vines was the most consistent Cougar golfer of the tournament, posting seven birdies and 12 bogeys in 54 holes. She was even on the front nine for the event.

Copier, a transfer from Weber State, also showcased her skills as she finished tied for 49th at +10 (74-77-75--226). Getting her first taste of BYU golf, Copier posted a round-one score of 2-over-par before going 5-over-par in round two and 3-over par on the final 18 holes. Her third round featured three birdies and a 2-under-par showing on the front nine.

Sophomore team co-captain Maggie Yuan also performed well. Despite struggling in the third round, Yuan still finished the tournament tied for 40th at 8-over-par (70-73-81--224), coming in second for BYU. Her round one score of 2-under-par was the lowest round of the tournament for any Cougar golfer and her second-round 73 tied for the lowest mark of the round. She finished with 10 birdies, including seven on the front nine.

Junior Jade Bollinger tied for 59th with a score of 230, 14-over-par (74-76-80). Freshman Amanda Keith made her competitive debut for the Cougars this week after redshirting last season. Keith finished the tournament 19-over-par (79-73-83), tied for 69th.

The Cougars will return to action next Monday at the Napa River Grill Cardinal Cup in Louisville, Ky.

Ptarmigan Ram Fall Classic Results
The Field
1. Idaho -5
2. CSU -1
T3. Louisville +3
T3. New Mexico +3
5. Texas Tech +5
6. San Jose State +6
7. Baylor +11
8. San Francisco +14
9. Colorado +19
10. BYU +33
T11. New Mexico State +34
T11. Wyoming +34
13. Long Beach State +35
14. UTEP +41
15. Northern Colorado +72
16. Weber State +80
BYU +33 (289-296-312--897)
                    
T29  K. Vines        71-74-76--221   +5   
T40  M. Yuan         70-73-81--224   +8
T49  E. Copier       74-77-75--226   +10
T59  J, Bollinger    74-76-80--230   +14
T69  A. Keith        79-73-83--235   +19
T35  S. Forsey       75-74-74--223*  +7
*Golfing independently