Nicholson Takes Home Women's Golfer of the Week Honors
Women's Golfer of the Week
Danielle Nicholson, Akron
Junior, Geneva, Ohio
For the second straight year, junior Danielle Nicholson (Geneva, Ohio) won the Rio Verde Invitational while leading the Akron women’s golf team to a second place finish at the 6,128-yard, par-72 Quail Run Course. Nicholson earned medalist honors after climbing 15 spots to the top of the leaderboard. She opened the 54-hole tournament with a 76 (+4), only to comeback and fire a 4-uner par 68 score in round two, moving into the lead after 36 holes of play.
She secured the win with a 2-under final round 70 en route to a 214 (-2) tournament total), one-stroke better than last year's run at the title. Nicholson finished six-strokes better than the field and runner-up teammate freshman Jacinta Pikunas. For the tournament, Nicholson carded 37 pars, 10 birdies, six bogeys, and a double bogey. During the second round she recorded 11 pars, five birdies, and a bogey.
Other Nominees
Kelly Anderson, NIU
Junior, Wheaton, Illinois (Wheaton Warrenville South HS)
Kelly Anderson led the Huskies at the Rio Verde Invitational as she shot a nine-over par 225 with rounds of 76, 73 and 76 in windy and chilly conditions in Arizona. Anderson recorded her third finish of 11th or better on the season as she has been one of the Huskies' most consistent golfers all season. Her 73 on Saturday was the lowest round by any NIU golfer in the tournament.
Lily Pendy, Ohio
Senior, Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich. (Grosse Pointe South)
Lily Pendy led the Bobcats on the course this past week at the 2018 Rio Verde Collegiate Invitational hosted by Western Michigan at the 6,128 - yard Quail Run Golf Course. Pendy opened up competition on Feb. 23 with a 77 on the first day on the course. Pendy came back to the course and shot a 72 on Saturday, a season-low for the senior. On Sunday, Pendy returned for the final 18 holes, shooting a 78, giving her a three-day total of 227 (+11). The score placed her tied for 16th place, her highest finish ever at the Rio Verde Invitational.
Maria Connelly, Eastern Michigan
Sophomore, Waterville, Ohio-Anthony Wayne
Sophomore Maria Connelly (Waterville, Ohio-Anthony Wayne) finished tied for fifth place with a 223 (77-75-71) at the Rio Verde Invitational Sunday, Feb. 25, on the par-72 Quail Run Golf Course. Connelly's top five showing was her second of career.
Pimnipa Panthong, Kent State
Sophomore, Nakhon Sawn, Thailand
Panthong tied for fourth in a rain-shortened 18-hole event at the Dickson with a 2-under 70. She finished ahead of all 12 of the other Top 100 players in the field. Panthong led Kent State to a fourth place finish in a strong field at The Woodlands in Houston.
