UCLA comes in fifth at rained-out tournament

By Eli Karon
Daily Bruin Contributor

The UCLA women’s golf team picked up right where they left
off.

When their NCAA Fall Preview tournament was shortened to 36
holes by rain, Bruin golfers’ were just warming up.

Consistent play was the story of the week for UCLA, who finished
the first round of play in 5th place.

That is where the Bruins would finish, just behind the
tournament host, New Mexico State.

“I wish that we had finished higher in the tournament but
I’m not displeased with anything that I’ve seen so
far,” UCLA women’s golf head coach Carrie Leary said.
“We’re a young team and we need to develop.”

Individually, UCLA was led by true freshman Charlotte Mayorkas,
who posted a one-under par round of 71 in her first ever college
tournament. After the first day of competition, Mayorkas was tied
for fourth overall, though she would eventually finish tied for
38th.

Arizona State’s Jimin Kang led from the outset, firing a
five-under par 67 to kick off the tournament. In leading Arizona
State to a first-place tie, Kang finished as individual champion
with a 54-hole total of 205, 11 under par.

After the second round of play, the UCLA golfers’
consistency was evident, with their second straight 299. Leading
the Bruins into the fifth place slot in round two was sophomore
Melissa Martin, posting a second round score of 71.

UCLA was again helped by Mayorkas, who fell to ninth overall
after shooting a second-round 77. Also contributing to the strong
team performance during the second round was senior Alicia Um, who
shot a 75 and was tied for 21st after the second round.

Leary, who used a cart to try and follow the play of her players
scattered all over the golf course, was happy with the
squad’s performance from top-to-bottom.

“I got back and forth to watch them each play a portion of
their round,” Leary said. “You don’t see
everything that you’d like to see, but I saw a
lot.”

Three Bruin golfers were tied for 36th after day two. Sophomores
Gina Umeck and Kristin Thompson and freshman Yvonne Choe were all
at 154. Thompson competed as an individual all week.

“(The freshmen) did a great job,” Leary said.
“The first time a freshman plays is a big deal. I think it
was a really good start.”

The top overall finisher from UCLA was Melissa Martin, who
finished at two-over par 218 and tied for sixth place.