Wind and rain plague women's golf team at Bay Area Classic

SAN JOSE -- The BYU women's golf team, plagued by strong winds and intermittent rain at the Bay Area Classic, secured a 10th place finish Tuesday as the wild tournament came to a merciful close.

"The kids played with heart and I'm so proud that they finished under these conditions," BYU head coach Sue Nyhus said.

The Cougars (331-348--679) finished four strokes behind Santa Clara University (329-346--675). Washington, currently ranked ninth in the nation, came away with top honors (312-317--629).

Individually, junior Margaret Gibby led the Cougars, shooting a near-miraculous 77 on Monday and an 88 on Tuesday. Gibby finished in the top 20 for the tournament.

The rest of the team scored in the 80's in each round, numbers that escalate statistical averages.

Fierce winds throughout the two-day event turned the Boulder Ridge into more of an obstacle course than a golf course as windshields blew off golf carts and debris circled the golfers.

"I've never seen it that bad," assistant coach Dave DeSantis said.

Nyhus said it was difficult to even keep the ball on the green.

"The wind was so bad balls kept rolling all over," she said.

The Cougars have a two-week reprieve before they head to College Station, Texas for the Texas A&M "Mo"morial March 1-2.

FINAL RESULTS         2004 Bay Area Classic
* Individual          Boulder Ridge Golf Clubyy