@HurricanesGolf Claims Florida Challenge
LECANTO, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s golf team opened the spring portion of its 2014-15 campaign on a high note as it won the Florida Challenge on Monday. The one-day 36-hole event was held at the Black Diamond Golf and Country Club.
The Hurricanes posted a two-round team score of 593, which tied USF after 36 holes and forced a one-hole playoff. In the one-hole playoff, Miami outlasted the Bulls to take the team title.
“I’m really proud of our team,” said head coach Patti Rizzo. “They really hung in there today and dealt with some tough conditions. I think this is a group that is really starting to believe in themselves, which is great to see.”
Miami was led by the trio of Daniela Darquea (Quito, Ecuador), Leticia Ras-Anderica (Moraira, Spain) and Delfina Acosta (Nicanor Otamendi, Argentina) as all three tied for fifth with a three-round total of 148.
Darquea came out of the gate strong as she carded a team-best score of 70 to open the tournament. In the second round, Darquea cooled off as she posted a 78.
Acosta led the way for Miami in the second round as she posted a team-best score of 71 after opening the tournament with a 77. In addition, Acosta led the Hurricanes with nine birdies. Her nine birdies were the tournament’s second-best total.
Ras-Anderica was Miami’s most consistent player throughout the tournament as she posted rounds of 73 and 75. Ras-Anderica tied for the tournament lead with 25 pars.
“Leticia is a very consistent player and there are really no weaknesses in her game,” Rizzo said.
Miami also received a strong showing from junior Kailey Walsh (Boca Raton, Fla.) as she tied for 13th overall with a two-round total of 151 (72, 79). Senior Rika Park (Fujieda Shi-Shizouka, Japan) made her first appearance of the year and tied for 19th to round out the Miami five posting rounds of 76 and 78, respectively.
USF’s Ashley Burke posted a two-round score of 144 to claim medalist honors.
Miami returns to action on Sunday, Feb. 8 as it competes in the 2015 UCF Challenge in Orlando, Fla.
