The woman’s golf team started the season off by placing 12th overall at the Oregon State Invitational at Trysting Tree Golf Club this month. Leading the team was A Ram Choi with five under par, placing 12th overall. Kristen Henno and Britney Yada followed her. Henno tied for 41st and Yada for 50th.
“The team and I are disappointed in our finish last week at Oregon State,” head coach Kathleen Takaishi said. “It is still very early, and we know what we need to work on. It was good to get a few competitive rounds in to see what our weaknesses are.”
Yada led Portland State’s team during the last three years. In the 2011–12 school year, Yada was awarded 1st team All-Big Sky Conference, All-Big Sky Conference Tournament, and Big Sky Conference Golfer of the Week.
“Britney has had a successful career at Portland State. She holds the PSU career scoring average with 76.04, 54 hole tournament scoring record with 6 under par 210, and tied the 18-hole scoring record with a 67. She has been named to the first team All-Big Sky Conference team all three years,” coach Takaishi said.
A Ram Choi, a transfer from Washington, is leading the way this year. She shined at her first appearance on the PSU team by tying a school record. “A Ram had a great summer,” Coach Takaishi said. “She competed in the LPGA Canadian Open.”
The 2012–13 team members that join the other three on the green are junior Samantha Webb, who ranked 3rd on the team last year, junior Loren Forney, who ranked 4th, sophomore Kelly Miller, who ranked 5th, junior Katie Ortman, who made her career start last season, and freshman Riley Leming.
The next few months will set the stage for the Big Sky Classic. PSU hosts the upcoming 3rd Annual Rose City Collegiate Oct. 1–2 at Langdon Farms Golf Club.
This is just the beginning of the year for these ladies. They have the opportunity to bring another title home to PSU, and Takaishi is encouraging them. “Our team goal every year is to win the Big Sky Conference Championship. I believe we have the depth in our lineup to do that this year,” she said.