W. golf: Women’s team sets new school record

For the No. 2 UCLA women’s golf team, driving back to Los
Angeles from Northern California may prove to be a bumpier road
than cruising to victory at the Spartan Invitational.

The Bruins treated the rest of the field as little more than
potholes on their way to securing their second victory in three
events.

UCLA lapped the field Wednesday on Corral de Tierra Golf Course
in Salinas, posting a three-round total of 6-under par, setting a
new school record.

“We played great (Tuesday) afternoon,” UCLA coach
Carrie Forsyth said. “Every time we go out, we’re just
trying to shoot lower and lower.”

UCLA finished 21 shots ahead of second-place UNLV en route to
its relatively easy win.

Accordingly, the leaderboard was cluttered at the top with
Bruins.

Junior and team leader Charlotte Mayorkas claimed her third
individual collegiate championship, finishing the tournament at
5-under par with rounds of 72, 67, 72 on the par-72 course.

Mayorkas, who posted her first win of the year at Palos Verdes
in February, isn’t convinced either her game or that of her
teammates is peaking just yet.

“The field wasn’t as strong as it was in Palos
Verdes,” Mayorkas said. “I don’t think
we’re peaking. When we peak, five girls will be
under-par.”

She almost got her wish.

Senior Krystal Shearer had the best tournament outing of her
UCLA career, finishing one shot behind Mayorkas at 4-under par and
finishing alone in second place.

While the starting lineup in the beginning of the season was
uncertain, Shearer has played herself onto the traveling squad and
is likely to be a mainstay with her recent strong play.

“I practice really hard, and I’ve been putting in
the time, and it’s coming together toward the end of my
career,” Shearer said. “This course was just a lot of
fun.”

Sophomore Susie Mathews (1-under par) and freshman Hannah Jun
(4-over par) joined Mayorkas and Shearer in the top-10, finishing
in fourth and tied for eighth, respectively.

Rounding out the squad was senior Bridget Dwyer, who finished
the tournament with a 14-over par total and tied for 36th
place.

While the players walked away from Corral de Tierra with their
heads higher than when they arrived, they know their games need to
improve if they’re going to compete with some of the powerful
teams playing east of the Mississippi.

No. 1 Duke should be listening.