News Summary
The San Diego State women’s golf team is set to compete in the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic, their final regular-season event before the Mountain West Championships. Taking place on April 8-9 in Georgia, SDSU will face tough opponents from the SEC and beyond. The team, featuring standout players like Ema Narita and Maya Benita, is eager to make their mark in this prestigious tournament. With favorable weather forecasted and a strong lineup, the Aztecs are ready for an exciting weekend of golf.
San Diego Set to Swing into Action at Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic!
Golf fans, gather ’round! The San Diego State women’s golf team is gearing up for an exciting weekend in Georgia as they prepare to compete in the prestigious Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic on April 8-9. This tournament serves as the Aztecs’ last regular season clash before they dive headfirst into the much-anticipated Mountain West Championships scheduled from April 15-17. With so much riding on this event, the excitement is palpable!
A Unique Challenge Awaits
Now here’s the kicker: SDSU is the only representative from the West Coast among the twelve teams competing. That means they’ll be up against some serious competition, including four teams from the SEC—that’s No. 48 Alabama, powerhouse Georgia, Missouri, and the No. 34 Oklahoma squad. Add in other notable teams such as Augusta, Georgia State, Colorado State, and UT-Chattanooga, and you’ve got quite the showdown on your hands! Other teams also in the mix include No. 35 Georgia Southern and UAB.
Meet the Team: SDSU’s Dynamic Lineup
The Aztec lineup for this tournament is looking strong with players like Ema Narita, Maya Benita, Kylie Phi, Stephanie Barbaglia, and Emilia Omander ready to make their mark. Ema Narita has been the star performer for the team this spring, averaging an impressive 73.46 strokes per round while leading the team in three out of four spring tournaments. Her recent performance has seen her climb the national ranking by a whopping 69 spots, proving she’s definitely in top form!
Maya Benita is also making waves after posting a career-best finish at the Causeway Invitational, where she tied for ninth with a one-over-par score of 217. Over her last three tournaments, she’s been averaging a three-over-par score of 219. Not too shabby!
On the freshman front, Kylie Phi secured her third Mountain West Freshman of the Week award recently after achieving a career-low score of three-over-par 219 at the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational in Hawaii. All while boasting the second-best 18-hole average on the team this spring at 74.0—got to love that rookie energy!
Seasoned Stars Shine Bright
Meanwhile, Stephanie Barbaglia, the highest-ranked Aztec golfer, is holding her own with the best 18-hole average for the year at 73.52. And we can’t forget about Emilia Omander, who recently set her personal best score of 224 (+8) at the San Diego State Classic, proving she’s a solid competitor having participated in every tournament this spring.
History and Heart at the Liz Murphey Classic
This will mark the third consecutive year that SDSU is participating in the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic, and they aren’t coming in blind! Last year, Ema Narita led the charge with a score of six-over-par 222, finishing tied for 24th. The event takes place at the University of Georgia Golf Course, known for its challenges as a par 72 course stretching 6,217 yards with a mind-bending par 35 front nine and a par 37 back nine.
A Bright Weekend Ahead
The tournament kicks off on April 8 at 5:30 a.m. PT with a shotgun start and will be played alongside Colorado State and UAB, starting on holes 11-14. The final round will also start bright and early at 5:30 a.m. PT on April 9. And if you’re curious about the weather, the forecast looks promising with minimal wind and clear skies, allowing for perfect golf conditions as temperatures rise to the low 60s.
Keep Your Eyes on the Aztecs!
As the Aztecs get ready to hit the greens, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for their performance. This promises to be an exhilarating tournament showcasing talent, tenacity, and the spirit of competition. Let’s cheer them on as they strive to make their mark before heading into the Mountain West Championships!
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Additional Resources
- Aztecs Playing in Georgia’s Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic
- Wikipedia: Women’s Golf
- Women’s Golf Starts Spring with Win Over San Diego State
- Google Search: San Diego State Women’s Golf
- Women’s Golf San Diego Classic
- Google Scholar: Women’s Golf
- Aztecs Set for Causeway Invitational
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Women’s Golf
- Aztecs Finish Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational
- Google News: SDSU Women’s Golf
