Boston University Women’s Golf secured the Patriot League title on Sunday with a team score of 39 over par. It’s the program’s second-ever conference title and first since 2015.
“It was a lot of fun,” head coach Bruce Chalas said. “It’s what we’ve been striving for all year.”
The Terriers shot a hole total of 903 (304-306-293) over the 54 hole tournament to fend off the second place United States Naval Academy who shot a total of 907.
Freshman Hanako Kawasaki, the 2019 Patriot League Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, led her team with a dominant performance by shooting a 6-over par 222 to win the individual medal.
“The Patriot League Championship was our primary goal,” head coach Bruce Chalas said. “This year’s team was by far the deepest and every player counted.”
Kawasaki held off Navy’s Christine McDonnell who shot a 7 over 223. Kawasaki’s 222 tied the second best score in Patriot League Championship history.
“Hanako is a very good player,” Chalas said. “It’s no surprise she’s off to this fast start, maybe even a little better than I expected.”
The awards for the Terriers continued when Chalas was named Patriot League Women’s Golf Coach of the Year. Chalas also received the honor in 2014.
Sophomore Katerina Doleckova carded an 11 over 227 (76-77-74) which matches her collegiate hole total over 54 holes. She also joined Kawasaki as a First Team All-Patriot League honoree.
“[Katerina] played her best golf of the year,” Calas said.
The Terriers also had strong performances out of juniors Zhangcheng Guo and Abby Parsons. Guo’s score of 70 in the final round on Sunday was the lowest score of not just the tournament, but in Patriot League Championship history.
“I met with [Guo] the night before and I said, ‘I need a big day from you,’” Chalas said.
Guo’s final round score was vital to the Terriers win after a huge turn around from shooting 82 on Friday and 78 on Saturday.
Senior Megan Carter played strong in her final Patriot League Championship, carding a score of 239 (82-81-76) for the tournament. Carter also made a hole-in-one on the ninth hole on Sunday.
The season will continue for BU after qualifying for the NCAA Regional Finals. The team found out Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m.that they will be attending the Regional Finals in Washington.
This has been a long season for the team with lots of traveling, playing golf and keeping up with schoolwork, Chalas said.
“It’s tricky with finals but we’ve been balancing golf and academics all year,” Chalas said.
Every player has counted, Chalas said, and they will need the same type of consistent play from everyone if they want to make some noise in the NCAA’s.
