TEMPE, Ariz. – The Arizona State women's golf team (No. 1 in Golfweek rankings/No. 7 in Golfstat) prepares for their first NCAA championships appearance as a team since 2014.
Senior Monica Vaughn is the only current Sun Devil to have competed at NCAA championships as a team and competed as an individual her sophomore year (2015). Then-freshman and Pac-12 champion Linnea Strom (2016) earned an individual spot last season.
The NCAA championships will take place from Friday, May 19-Wednesday, May 24.
THE FIELD (Listed in Regional finishing order)
Lubbock Regional – No. 7 ASU advances alongside No. 10 Furman, Oregon, No. 18 Texas, Texas Tech, No. 15 Kent State (Individuals: Julienne Soo, Oklahoma; Susie Cavanagh, Oregon State; Alex White, BYU)
Columbus Regional – No. 4 Florida, No. 12 South Carolina, No. 5 Florida State, No. 29 Ohio State, No. 27 Purdue, Michigan (Individuals: Cara Gorlei, Arkansas; Camila Serrano, FIU; Maddie Szeryk, Texas A&M)
Athens Regional – No. 3 Alabama, No. 11 Northwestern, Michigan State, No. 19 Baylor, Clemson, North Carolina (Individuals: Jennifer Kupcho, Wake Forest; Laura Fuenfstueck, College of Charleston; Maya Walton, Princeton)
Albuquerque Regional – No. 1 Stanford, No. 9 Duke, Pepperdine, No. 6 USC, No. 26 Cal, No. 16 Miami (Individuals: Martina Edberg, CSU Fullerton; Bianca Pagdanganan, Gonzaga; Nadine White, Campbell)
THE COURSE
The tournament will take place at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, IL, a 6,3343/6,261 yard par-72 course (two holes have varying yardage depending on setup). Sugar Grove is approximately 45 miles west of Chicago.
The members only course is home to host-Northern Illinois University as well as the Kids Golf Foundation of Illinois. The course, which opened in 1999, has been named one of Rolex's "World's Top 1,000 Golf Courses" as well as Golf Digest's "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses". When it opened, it was named the 5th Best New Private Course in the U.S. by Golf Digest.
Several events have been hosted at the site including four USGA Qualifiers, two NCAA Regionals, Ryder Cup Captain's Challenge, Palmer Cup, Western Amateur, Solheim Cup, and now both the men's and women's NCAA national championships.
CHAMPIONSHIPS FORMAT
The NCAA championships will start with three days of stroke play (Friday-Sunday), with 18 holes per day (54 holes total). After Sunday's third round, the top 15 teams and nine individuals not from those teams will be determined. Those teams and individuals will play a final day (18 holes) of stroke play (Monday) to determine the top eight teams that will advance to stroke play. A 72-hole individual champion will also be crowned.
The top eight teams will advance to a match play format with quarterfinals and semifinals Tuesday and finals Wednesday to determine the NCAA champion.
The first three rounds (Friday-Sunday) will start at 7:30 am CT while Monday's round four will start at 11:30 am CT. Tuesday's quarterfinals will start at 7 and 7:50 a.m. CT while the semifinals will be later that afternoon at 1:30 and 2:20 pm CT. Wednesday's championship match begins approximately 2:10 pm CT.
PAIRINGS
On Friday, the Sun Devils are paired with Florida State and USC, teeing off on hole one between 12 noon and 12:44 pm CT. On Saturday, they will be paired with the same teams but will tee off on hole 10 between 7:30 and 8:14 am CT. Sunday's pairings will be based on standings after two rounds of play.
TICKETS
To purchase tickets, click HERE or contact David Gennett at Rich Harvest Farms at (630) 466-7610.
A single day ticket is $10 plus fees while a ticket for the entire championship week is $30 plus fees. A discounted ticket is also available for supporters wishing to attend both the men's and women's NCAA championships in Sugar Grove.
There are also NCAA Experience ticket packages available on the site.
All parking is free of charge and general parking is located on the north side of Granart Road (2330 Granart Road).
HOW TO WATCH
Monday's fourth round of stroke play as well as Tuesday and Wednesday's match play will be broadcast on the Golf Channel. See below for the Golf Channel broadcast schedule throughout the championships (all times local – Central Time).
The Golf Channel can also be viewed online at www.golfchannel.com or on the Golf Channel app.
RANKINGS
ASU moved back into the top spot in Golfweek rankings, a place they held two weeks ago heading into Pac-12 championships, while they're No. 7 in Golfstat rankings going into this weekend's competition.
Two Sun Devils have low averages this season that rank in the top-20 in the nation as Linnea Strom (71.23) ranks ninth and Monica Vaughn (71.53) ranks 20th. Strom and Vaughn are also No. 8 and No. 18 in Golfweek collegiate individual rankings.
In the latest World Amateur Golf rankings, Olivia Mehaffey and Strom are just inside the top-10 (No. 9 and No. 10, respectively) while Vaughn is No. 16 in the world.
HOW THEY GOT HERE
The Sun Devils won Regionals for the first time since 2009, fifth all-time Regionals first place finish. Among all four Regionals winners, ASU had the lowest three-round score by 15 strokes. As Arizona State shot 22-under (Lubbock), Alabama (Athens) shot 7-under, Stanford (Albuquerque) shot 2-over, and Florida/South Carolina (Columbus) shot 22-over.
Monica Vaughn, Olivia Mehaffey, and Linnea Strom went 1-2-3 for the Sun Devils. This was Vaughn's second collegiate victory, Mehaffey's fourth top-10 finish in the last five tournaments, and Strom's sixth straight top-10 finish and eighth of the season in tournament play.
On day three, the Sun Devils shot 16-under, setting a new 18-hole program record, surpassing the old record of 15-under, which the Sun Devils tied at their own PING/ASU Invitational in April.
The Pac-12 advanced five teams to NCAA championships including USC, Cal, and Oregon, as well as Regional winners ASU and Stanford.
ASU NCAA HISTORY
The Sun Devil women's golf team has done something unmatched by any other NCAA Division I team in their sport – they have won seven NCAA National Championships, including three straight, five in six years, and six within nine years (1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2009).
ASU also has five individual NCAA champions including Danielle Ammaccapane (1985), Emilee Klein (1994), Kristel Mourgue d'Algue (1995), Grace Park (1999), and Azahara Munoz (2008). Prior to women's sports competing in the NCAA, the Sun Devils had four other national champions including Cathy Gaughan (1970), Jane Bastanchury-Booth (1969), Carol Sorenson (1962), and Joanna Gunderson-Carner (1960).
Current head coach Missy Farr-Kaye and assistant coach Michelle Estill, both Sun Devil alums, played under legendary head coach Linda Vollstedt. Vollstedt led the Sun Devils to six NCAA championships in the 1990's and Farr-Kaye was part of the 1990 championship team her senior year.
Farr-Kaye also has another tie to a Sun Devil national championship, as she was the assistant coach under Melissa Luellen when ASU won their most recent national title (2009).
ASU makes their 33rd all-time appearance, also a record, at NCAA championships, with finishes as follows.
Senior Monica Vaughn is the only current Sun Devil to have competed at NCAA championships as a team and competed as an individual her sophomore year (2015). Then-freshman and Pac-12 champion Linnea Strom (2016) earned an individual spot last season.
The NCAA championships will take place from Friday, May 19-Wednesday, May 24.
THE FIELD (Listed in Regional finishing order)
Lubbock Regional – No. 7 ASU advances alongside No. 10 Furman, Oregon, No. 18 Texas, Texas Tech, No. 15 Kent State (Individuals: Julienne Soo, Oklahoma; Susie Cavanagh, Oregon State; Alex White, BYU)
Columbus Regional – No. 4 Florida, No. 12 South Carolina, No. 5 Florida State, No. 29 Ohio State, No. 27 Purdue, Michigan (Individuals: Cara Gorlei, Arkansas; Camila Serrano, FIU; Maddie Szeryk, Texas A&M)
Athens Regional – No. 3 Alabama, No. 11 Northwestern, Michigan State, No. 19 Baylor, Clemson, North Carolina (Individuals: Jennifer Kupcho, Wake Forest; Laura Fuenfstueck, College of Charleston; Maya Walton, Princeton)
Albuquerque Regional – No. 1 Stanford, No. 9 Duke, Pepperdine, No. 6 USC, No. 26 Cal, No. 16 Miami (Individuals: Martina Edberg, CSU Fullerton; Bianca Pagdanganan, Gonzaga; Nadine White, Campbell)
THE COURSE
The tournament will take place at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, IL, a 6,3343/6,261 yard par-72 course (two holes have varying yardage depending on setup). Sugar Grove is approximately 45 miles west of Chicago.
The members only course is home to host-Northern Illinois University as well as the Kids Golf Foundation of Illinois. The course, which opened in 1999, has been named one of Rolex's "World's Top 1,000 Golf Courses" as well as Golf Digest's "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses". When it opened, it was named the 5th Best New Private Course in the U.S. by Golf Digest.
Several events have been hosted at the site including four USGA Qualifiers, two NCAA Regionals, Ryder Cup Captain's Challenge, Palmer Cup, Western Amateur, Solheim Cup, and now both the men's and women's NCAA national championships.
CHAMPIONSHIPS FORMAT
The NCAA championships will start with three days of stroke play (Friday-Sunday), with 18 holes per day (54 holes total). After Sunday's third round, the top 15 teams and nine individuals not from those teams will be determined. Those teams and individuals will play a final day (18 holes) of stroke play (Monday) to determine the top eight teams that will advance to stroke play. A 72-hole individual champion will also be crowned.
The top eight teams will advance to a match play format with quarterfinals and semifinals Tuesday and finals Wednesday to determine the NCAA champion.
The first three rounds (Friday-Sunday) will start at 7:30 am CT while Monday's round four will start at 11:30 am CT. Tuesday's quarterfinals will start at 7 and 7:50 a.m. CT while the semifinals will be later that afternoon at 1:30 and 2:20 pm CT. Wednesday's championship match begins approximately 2:10 pm CT.
PAIRINGS
On Friday, the Sun Devils are paired with Florida State and USC, teeing off on hole one between 12 noon and 12:44 pm CT. On Saturday, they will be paired with the same teams but will tee off on hole 10 between 7:30 and 8:14 am CT. Sunday's pairings will be based on standings after two rounds of play.
TICKETS
To purchase tickets, click HERE or contact David Gennett at Rich Harvest Farms at (630) 466-7610.
A single day ticket is $10 plus fees while a ticket for the entire championship week is $30 plus fees. A discounted ticket is also available for supporters wishing to attend both the men's and women's NCAA championships in Sugar Grove.
There are also NCAA Experience ticket packages available on the site.
All parking is free of charge and general parking is located on the north side of Granart Road (2330 Granart Road).
HOW TO WATCH
Monday's fourth round of stroke play as well as Tuesday and Wednesday's match play will be broadcast on the Golf Channel. See below for the Golf Channel broadcast schedule throughout the championships (all times local – Central Time).
The Golf Channel can also be viewed online at www.golfchannel.com or on the Golf Channel app.
RANKINGS
ASU moved back into the top spot in Golfweek rankings, a place they held two weeks ago heading into Pac-12 championships, while they're No. 7 in Golfstat rankings going into this weekend's competition.
Led by Monica Vaughn winning Lubbock Regional @SunDevilGolf takes top 3 spots on leaderboard & is back to No. 1 https://t.co/UMlaneS1NJ pic.twitter.com/HUDlZg7pCg
— Lance Ringler (@GolfweekRingler) May 11, 2017
Two Sun Devils have low averages this season that rank in the top-20 in the nation as Linnea Strom (71.23) ranks ninth and Monica Vaughn (71.53) ranks 20th. Strom and Vaughn are also No. 8 and No. 18 in Golfweek collegiate individual rankings.
In the latest World Amateur Golf rankings, Olivia Mehaffey and Strom are just inside the top-10 (No. 9 and No. 10, respectively) while Vaughn is No. 16 in the world.
HOW THEY GOT HERE
The Sun Devils won Regionals for the first time since 2009, fifth all-time Regionals first place finish. Among all four Regionals winners, ASU had the lowest three-round score by 15 strokes. As Arizona State shot 22-under (Lubbock), Alabama (Athens) shot 7-under, Stanford (Albuquerque) shot 2-over, and Florida/South Carolina (Columbus) shot 22-over.
.@SunDevilGolf claims a regional title -- decisively. ??
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) May 10, 2017
Your Sun Devils are headed to the #NCAAWGolf CHAMPS!#BackThePac pic.twitter.com/vHpVvnyWjm
Monica Vaughn, Olivia Mehaffey, and Linnea Strom went 1-2-3 for the Sun Devils. This was Vaughn's second collegiate victory, Mehaffey's fourth top-10 finish in the last five tournaments, and Strom's sixth straight top-10 finish and eighth of the season in tournament play.
On day three, the Sun Devils shot 16-under, setting a new 18-hole program record, surpassing the old record of 15-under, which the Sun Devils tied at their own PING/ASU Invitational in April.
The Pac-12 advanced five teams to NCAA championships including USC, Cal, and Oregon, as well as Regional winners ASU and Stanford.
ASU NCAA HISTORY
The Sun Devil women's golf team has done something unmatched by any other NCAA Division I team in their sport – they have won seven NCAA National Championships, including three straight, five in six years, and six within nine years (1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2009).
ASU also has five individual NCAA champions including Danielle Ammaccapane (1985), Emilee Klein (1994), Kristel Mourgue d'Algue (1995), Grace Park (1999), and Azahara Munoz (2008). Prior to women's sports competing in the NCAA, the Sun Devils had four other national champions including Cathy Gaughan (1970), Jane Bastanchury-Booth (1969), Carol Sorenson (1962), and Joanna Gunderson-Carner (1960).
NCAA Team Championship counts are as follows:#tbt Fun Fact: ASU holds the @NCAA record for most national championships (7) #Allin17 @collegegolf @MarkMcClune @jeffmetcalfe pic.twitter.com/aCdc5GKutE
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilGolf) May 11, 2017
| Arizona State | 7 |
| Duke | 6 |
| San Jose State | 3 |
| USC | 3 |
| UCLA | 3 |
| Arizona | 2 |
| Florida | 2 |
| Alabama | 1 |
| Georgia | 1 |
| Miami (FL) | 1 |
| Purdue | 1 |
| Stanford | 1 |
| TCU | 1 |
| Tulsa (vacated) | 1 |
| Washington | 1 |
Current head coach Missy Farr-Kaye and assistant coach Michelle Estill, both Sun Devil alums, played under legendary head coach Linda Vollstedt. Vollstedt led the Sun Devils to six NCAA championships in the 1990's and Farr-Kaye was part of the 1990 championship team her senior year.
Farr-Kaye also has another tie to a Sun Devil national championship, as she was the assistant coach under Melissa Luellen when ASU won their most recent national title (2009).
ASU makes their 33rd all-time appearance, also a record, at NCAA championships, with finishes as follows.
| Year | Coach | Conference | Regional | NCAA |
| 1975 | Whitehouse | 1st | - | 1st - AIAW |
| 1976 | Whitehouse | 1st | - | 3rd - AIAW |
| 1977 | Whitehouse | 1st | - | 4th - AIAW |
| 1978 | Whitehouse | 2nd | - | 7th - AIAW |
| 1979 | Bourassa | 1st | - | 6th - AIAW |
| 1980 | Vollstedt | 1st | - | 3rd - AIAW |
| 1981 | Vollstedt | 1st | - | 12th - AIAW |
| 1982 | Vollstedt | 2nd | - | 10th |
| 1983 | Vollstedt | 4th | - | 13th |
| 1984 | Vollstedt | 1st | - | 2nd |
| 1985 | Vollstedt | 1st | - | 3rd |
| 1986 | Vollstedt | 2nd | - | 4th |
| 1987 | Vollstedt | 1st | - | 11th |
| 1988 | Vollstedt | 1st | - | T-2nd |
| 1989 | Vollstedt | 2nd | - | T-6th |
| 1990 | Vollstedt | 3rd | - | 1st |
| 1991 | Vollstedt | T-4th | - | DNC |
| 1992 | Vollstedt | 2nd | - | 9th |
| 1993 | Vollstedt | 1st | 1st | 1st |
| 1994 | Vollstedt | 1st | 3rd | 1st |
| 1995 | Vollstedt | 1st | T-1st | 1st |
| 1996 | Vollstedt | 1st | 5th | 6th |
| 1997 | Vollstedt | 2nd | 1st | 1st |
| 1998 | Vollstedt | 2nd | 2nd | 1st |
| 1999 | Vollstedt | 3rd | 3rd | T-2nd |
| 2000 | Vollstedt | 6th | 4th | T-11th |
| 2001 | Vollstedt | 3rd | 6th | 18th |
| 2002 | Yokoi | T-3rd | T-6th | T-9th |
| 2003 | Luellen | 5th | 5th | 18th |
| 2004 | Luellen | T-4th | 7th | 10th |
| 2005 | Luellen | 2nd | 4th | T-8th |
| 2006 | Luellen | 2nd | T-4th | 4th |
| 2007 | Luellen | 1st | 3rd | 13th |
| 2008 | Luellen | 3rd | 2nd | 5th |
| 2009 | Luellen | 1st | 1st | 1st |
| 2010 | Luellen | DNF | 2nd | 4th |
| 2011 | Luellen | 6th | 3rd | 17th |
| 2012 | Luellen | 5th | T-6th | T-6th |
| 2013 | Luellen | 6th | 5th | 5th |
| 2014 | Luellen | 5th | 3rd | 5th |
| 2015 | Luellen | 9th | 9th | DNC |
| 2016 | Farr-Kaye | 3rd | 8th | DNC |
| 2017 | Farr-Kaye | 6th | 1st | TBD |