Summerhays Paces Women’s Golf at Silverado Showdown

NAPA, Calif. – Sun Devil Women’s Golf completed the regular season at the Silverado Showdown on Wednesday afternoon at Silverado Resort & Spa.

No. 9 Arizona State finished tied for sixth with No. 8 Oregon in the 17-team tournament. Playing without two-time All-American Ashley Menne who was competing in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur last week, Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye‘s team held their own in a competitive field. 

Several Sun Devils stepped up in Menne’s absence, led by Grace Summerhays. Summerhays put together her second consecutive Top-10 effort, finishing in sixth place at the Silverado Showdown. She moved up nine spots after shooting a 71 (-1), one of the five best rounds on the final day. Paula Schulz-Hanssen finished in the Top-15 as well (T-15th) and has now finished T-16th or better in each of her last four events. Beth Coulter improved her score by three strokes each day, eventually moving up 18 spots on the final day. Amanda Linner’s efforts early in the event paid divdends down the stretch, with her 67 in round one setting ASU up for this solid finish.

The Maroon & Gold get ready to host the 2023 Pac-12 Women’s Golf Championship April 17-19 at Papago Golf Club. The event is free and open to the public, as the Sun Devils host the conference title for the first time since 2011.

ROUND BREAKDOWN

The shotgun start placed Sun Devils on holes 4-6 to start their rounds. The birdie opportunities were few and far between today, as the entire field struggled to remain around par. The average score on the par 72 course for the weekend was 76.5, an indication of the difficulties presented at the Silverado Showdown. Despite that, Arizona State still manage to take advantage of several chances. Beth Coulter started the day brilliantly, recording birdies on two of her first three holes. Grace Summerhays and Paula Schulz-Hanssen put together five straight pars to begin the round, remaining steady throughout the week.

Amanda Linner got on the board with a birdie on the 13th hole. Summerhays recorded her first birdie on the 15th hole, putting her back at even for the day. A birdie from Beth Coulter on 16 followed soon after, while Paula Schulz-Hanssen kept things going with one on 17. Coulter finished her final eight holes at one-under. Summerhays capped an excellent round with a birdie on three, ending her final 12 holes at two-under par. 

QUOTABLES

“I am pleased with the way everyone stepped up at different times this week in Ashley’s absence,” Coach Farr-Kaye remarked. “The course was challenging over the past few days, which will be a good experience for us down the road.”

“We look forward to hosting the Pac-12 Women’s Golf Championship,” Coach Farr-Kaye added. “Hoping to see a bunch of our fans out there to support us. The team has been working hard to be prepared for this event and protect our home turf.”

NOTABLES

• No. 9 Arizona State finished tied with No. 8 Oregon and ahead of three Top-25 teams, including No. 6 San Jose State.
• The average score in the third round of the Silverado Showdown was 76.42. Grace Summerhays carded a 71 (-1) to jump nine spots and earned sole possession of sixth place.
  • This is her second straight Top-10 finish, as she recently tied for ninth at the PING/ASU Invitational.
  • Summerhays registered 43 pars on the weekend, two more than any other golfer in the field.
  • She finished her final 12 holes two-under par, navigating a difficult set up in the third round.
  • Summerhays excelled on par three holes, going even on the tournament, tied for the fifth-best scoring average of any golfer.
  • She was equally as good on par four oppotunities, as her 4.03 average was tied for sixth-lowest. 

GRACE SUMMERHAYS’ BEST FINISHES

T4th – 2023 Nexus Collegiate

6th – 2023 Silverado Showdown

T9th – 2023 PING/ASU Invitational

T10th – 2022 NCAA Stillwater Regional

• Beth Coulter recorded a team-high four birdies and moved up 18 spots on the leaderboard.
  • She finished the tournament with a team-best seven birdies.
• Paula Schulz-Hanssen also climbed the leaderboard, moving up eight spots into a tie for 15th.
  • Her 38 pars were the fifth-most of any golfer.
• ASU’s par three scoring average was tied for the fourth lowest of any team in the field.
  • The 172 pars for the team were the fourth most in the field.
• Amanda Linner finished with one of only seven eagles for the entire tournament when she recorded one on 17 in round one.

TEAM STANDINGS

INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS

UP NEXT

PAC-12 WOMEN’S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

April 17-19 (Phoenix, AZ)

For the first time since 2011, Arizona State will host the Pac-12 Women’s Golf Championship in their fourth appearance in the state of Arizona. This will be the first time that the Sun Devils host at Papago Golf Club, a place that Coach Missy Farr-Kaye‘s team has enjoyed plenty of success at. The Maroon & Gold will get a chance to win their first Pac-12 Championship since 2009 in front of their home fans. The nation’s top conference annually offers one of the most competitive conference championship events. The event is free and open to the public.

2023 NCAA WOMEN’S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

Arizona State and the Thunderbirds will host the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships for the third consecutive year, taking place at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale May 19-31. This is the final of successful three-year run as the host school of the most prestigious event in all of college golf. Don’t miss your last chance to check out the top individuals and teams in the nation square off for the ultimate prize in your own backyard. 

SUN DEVILS IN THE RANKINGS

The Sun Devils have faced one of the nation’s toughest schedules so far and still have managed to stay in the Top-25 all season. ASU has already climbed several spots since the start of the Spring, making one of the biggest ascents of any team. Coach Farr-Kaye’s team has a huge opportunity to move up in those rankings with another strong performance at the PING/ASU Invitational. The Maroon & Gold entered the Top-10 for the first time all season, ranked No. 9 by both Golfweek and Golfstat.

TEAM RANKINGS (AS OF 3/31)

Golfweek/Sagarin: 9th

WGCA: 11th

Golfstat: 9th

INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS (AS OF 3/31)

Not only is Arizona State present in the national team rankings, several Sun Devil individuals continue to jump up the rankings. Ashley Menne is the No. 23 ranked golfer in the nation according to Golfweek, coming in as the highest ranked golfer on the team. Paula Schulz-Hanssen, Beth Coulter, and Grace Summerhays are also ranked in the Top-70 according in at least one major national poll.

HOW TO FOLLOW

For the latest updates and information on the Sun Devil Women’s Golf program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilWGolf), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/sundevilwgolf/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com).