RENO, Nev. - The University of Nevada women’s golf team swept the team and individual medalist honors at the 2006 Wolf Pack Invitational, which concluded play at D’Andrea Country Club (Par 72, 6,044 yards) Wednesday. Senior Nicole de Gennaro won the tournament’s individual medalist honors after shooting a final round 73.
After the entire tournament field of 44 players struggled early with the sloping greens at D’Andrea, the final round was a much easier day of play for the golfers. Nevada seemed to have the best control, entering the day tied for the lead with Sacramento State and just five strokes ahead of Northern Iowa. The Wolf Pack came out and carded a 300, its best round of the tournament for a total 316-304-300--920 (+56). Sac State and Northern Iowa did not have as good as a day, as the Hornets fell to the Pack by 13 strokes while Northern Iowa by 20.
Nevada’s wins marked a few firsts for the Wolf Pack program. The win is the first-ever for Nevada at the Wolf Pack invitation, currently in its second season of existence. Its also the first team and individual wins for the Pack under third-year head coach Jody Dansie and de Gennaro’s first collegiate victory.
The Tucson, Ariz. senior was in a five-way tie for first after Tuesday’s first two rounds, but made finished the tournament with improvements in every round, carding 78-74-73--225 (+9). The Pack had three golfers finish in the top-10 with sophomore Melanie De Leon placing third with her total 77-79-72--228 (+12). De Leon’s final round 72 tied just two other golfers for the lowest round of the tournament. Junior Jennie Pleas tied for seventh place at 81-75-77--233 (+17).
Wolf Pack freshman Pamela Abreu made an impressive showing playing as an individual in her first-ever collegiate tournament. After finishing the first day in a tie for first, Abreu slipped slightly Wednesday to 12th place after carding rounds of 79-73-84--236 (+20). Sophomore Heather Olmstead rounded out the Pack’s scoring lineup finishing 17th with a 24-over 240. Sophomore Luxchmi Gill also competed as an individual finishing T24 at 29-over 245.
An excited Nevada team will now try an keep this momentum rolling as it hits the road to Las Cruces, N.M. to compete in the Price's "Give 'Em Five" Invitational hosted by New Mexico State on October 16-18.