LAS CRUCES (Oct. 13) - The New Mexico State women's golf team won the 2010 Price's "Give 'Em Five" Intercollegiate, which was being held at the NMSU Golf Course this week with a team score of 2-over-par 866.
It is the first time since 2006 NM State has won its home tournament as the Aggies beat out 13 other teams from across the country. The Aggies went into the final day of the tournament tied for first with Baylor after carding the best round of the day on Tuesday. NM State had the best round of the day and the second best round of the tournament on Wednesday, with a 286.
Baylor, who came in second, finished five strokes behind the Aggies, while Mississippi State and UTEP tied for third with a 19-over-par 883.
"It was a great tournament and we are very proud of our players, staff and everyone involved," head coach Paul Brilliant said. "It proves that we are working to get back to where we want to. The hard work the student-athletes and co-head coach Jackie Booth are putting in is paying off."
Freshman Demi Mak of Hong Kong led the way for NM State this week as she carded two rounds under par finishing with a 2-under 214. She fired a 71 in round one and in the final round to finish for a tie for second. Mak shot 11 birdies in the three-day tournament, most for an Aggie in the 2010 Price's.
"Demi was recruited by Coach Booth and she is great," Brilliant said. "We are excited to see what the future will bring for her and the rest of the team."
Seniors Pang Chanachai, Buz Bowerman-Ritchie and Mint Swaschuto finished in a tie for sixth with a 2-over-par 218. Chanachai started the tournament with a 3-under 69 and carded a 1-over-par in the final round. Bowerman-Ritchie and Swaschuto each fired a 1-under-par 71 in the final round to help their team to its first team win of the year.
Junior Ashley Elias was the other team player and she came in with a 13-over-par 229 in three days of play. There were five NM State student-athletes playing as individuals and freshman Mieke Canan was the best finisher as she tied for 35 with an 11-over 227.