Christenson Claims Individual Crown as Redlands Golf Wins Season Opener

By Staff Reports

— University of Redlands Athletics contributed to this report.

Photo via University of Redlands Athletics

Senior Savanah Christenson was the overall tournament individual champion (shooting 146 over two rounds).

DUPONT, Wash. — The University of Redlands women's golf team captured its first tournament win of the season at the Pacific Lutheran University Invitational, taking the team title with a two-round score of 623 (310-313), while Upland senior Savanah Christenson won the individual crown with a 146 (74-72).

The victory marks a strong rebound for the Bulldogs, who opened their campaign with a fourth-place finish at the CA State Intercollegiate in Ventura (Sept. 14–15). Redlands carded a two-round score of 617 (308-309) at Olivas Links Golf Club, trailing Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, UC Santa Cruz, and Pomona-Pitzer.

Round 1

Christenson tied for second after her opening-round 74, giving Redlands a three-stroke lead over Occidental College. After bogeying three of her first five holes, she rallied with three pars and two birdies over the next six holes to move to 1-over, then closed her round with five consecutive pars.

Junior Kylie McGrath, of Renton, Washington, sat two strokes back of Christenson in fifth place with a 76. After recording five bogeys through her first 10 holes, she shaved two strokes off her card over the final eight.

Sophomore Cecili Hayes, of Vancouver, Washington, tied for ninth with a 78. Following an eventful start featuring two double bogeys and two birdies over five holes, she settled in to finish with three pars and a birdie on her final four holes.

Freshman Maria Hernandez, of Houston, served as the final scorer for the Maroon and Grey, placing 20th with an 82 after playing par golf through her final five holes. Junior Evie Denton, of Rome, New York, shot an 85 to finish 29th with nine bogeys and two double bogeys.

Round 2

Christenson remained steady throughout her final 18 holes, never sitting more than 1-over par. She carded three birdies and three bogeys to secure the individual title with a 146 (74-72).

McGrath moved up one spot into fourth place with a final 155 (76-79), tallying 10 pars and a birdie to maintain a top-five finish. Hayes completed the tournament tied for ninth with a 160 (78-82), highlighted by a strong stretch on holes four through nine that included five pars and a birdie.

Denton vaulted 12 spots into a tie for 17th with a second-round 80, finishing at 165 (85-80) after sinking a pair of front-nine birdies. Hernandez placed 27th with a 169 (82-87).

Looking Ahead

Redlands returns to action Oct. 12-13 at the Hollins Cup, hosted at Pasatiempo Country Club in Santa Cruz.