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BOULDER CITY, Nev. (April 20, 2016) - Championships in golf so often come down to the final hole, and the 18th hole at Boulder Creek saw plenty of action in the Big Sky championship's final round.
Idaho's Sophie Hausmann helped the Vandals claim two championships on the home hole. First, she helped the Vandals clinch the 2016 Big Sky Women's Golf Championships, presented by BEX Sunglasses, after battling with Sacramento State on the back nine.
Then, Hausmann clinched the Big Sky's individual crown, finishing with a par on the first playoff hole to win the title, beating Eastern Washington's Marissa Borja, who bogeyed the playoff hole.
Hausmann said the playoff was a fitting conclusion to the tournament.
"I can’t believe it. The playoff at the end was an awesome experience," she said.
The Vandals and the Hornets were knotted in a duel throughout the afternoon, as Sacramento State shot the lowest round in Big Sky history in the final round, finishing with a 283 (-5). Idaho closed the final round with a 287 (-1), a day after shooting a two-under-par 286.
Idaho coach Lisa Johnson said Boulder Creek has the setup and feel of a championship golf course.
"The competition was tremendous (this week)," she said. "It was a great championship, and this golf course sets up very well for a championship to end like it did. 18, there’s a lot of different ways to play it, a lot of different ways to coach it.”
Hausmann shot a two-under-par 70 in the final round, making three birdies on the front-nine. Eastern Washington's Borja eagled the par-5 13th hole, shooting three-under on the back-nine.
Johnson said Hausmann's play was indicative of her ability.
"Sophie’s play this week was huge," she said. "It’s a big reason why we won, and I’m proud of her for winning individually. She’s a good ballstriker, and this is the first time Sophie’s showed her true colors under pressure. It’s a big accomplishment."
Montana State's Jaylee Tait, the tournament's 36-hole leader, shot a 75 in the final round, finishing at even-par 216. The finish left her in a tie with Idaho's Krisin Strankman for third place.
Idaho finished the tournament with a total of 868, while Sacramento State finished with an 869. This is Idaho's first-ever Big Sky women's golf championship. For the Hornets, it is their sixth runner-up finish in the last eight years.
Northern Arizona finished in third place, while Weber State finished in fourth place. The Wildcats shot their lowest round in Big Sky tourney history, finishing with a 290.
Borja and Sacramento State's Julia Becker shot the low-round of the day, with final scores of 68.
The Vandals will represent the Big Sky Conference at the 2016 NCAA regionals.
Johnson said her team merely needs to continue to focus ont their way of playing golf.
"We need to work on short-game, work on putting," she said. "We’re a pretty good ball-striking team, so hopefully we’ll get sent to a regional that favors that.”