SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Tournament host Santa Clara won its home event, the 6th-Annual SCU Colby Invitational, and senior Ashley Noda posted her second consecutive round of even-par 72 to earn her first collegiate title Tuesday at Silver Creek Country Club in South San Jose.
"This feels great. It has been a lot of hard work the last four years and it feels really nice to see it finally pay off," said Noda, who was the overnight leader after Monday's first and second rounds. "I tried to keep everything super simple, to not get ahead of myself or let myself get down on any particular hole."
Noda won the tournament by eight shots, going 74-72-72 to post a three-round total of 2-over par. Playing side-by-side with Cal State Northridge freshman Chomchana Phuchanbanchob, who finished second, Noda knew she had the inside track at the title after the front nine.
"(Phuchanbanchob) was only two strokes behind me, but I was able to create a pretty good gap midway through the round," said Noda. "I had to really remind myself, (winning the event) was not what I was thinking about right now, and get back into my game. I was actually a lot calmer than I thought I was going to be and stayed patient with myself."
The Broncos' collective score of 293 Tuesday was its best of the year and by far the lowest team round of the event. Meghan Shain shot a final-round 73 while teammates Monique Riley and Annie Freman each shot 74.
"Incredible is the word that comes to mind," said head coach Krystal Kelly, who has now guided the Broncos to a tournament victory in each of her five seasons as head coach. "I am so proud of them and a great way to win at home. Nice to have the support of people coming out today and yesterday. Could not be more proud."
COMPLETE RESULTS
1 Santa Clara 309-307-293 (909) +45
1 Ashley Noda 74 | 72 | 72 = 218 +2
3 Monique Riley 78 | 77 | 74 = 229 +13
4 Annie Freman 80 | 78 | 74 = 232 +16
7 Meghan Shain 82 | 80 | 73 = 235 +19
10 Cynthia Navis 81 | 79 | 79 = 239 +23
11 Kyleigh Moreno 79 | 78 | 83 = 240 +24
T12 Isabella Salant 85 | 81 | 75 = 241 +25
T17 Kristin Le 77 | 80 | 87 = 244 +28
T23 Taylor Gentzkow 89 | 90 | 91 = 270 +54
Santa Clara Colby Invitational
Dates (Site): Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 19-20 (San Jose, Calif.)
Host: Santa Clara University
Field (4 teams): Santa Clara, CS Northridge, Boise State, Cal State Bakersfield
Details: 54-hole event. Both days will begin with a shotgun start at 8:00 a.m. (PDT). The field will play two rounds of 18 holes on Monday and one final round of 18 holes on Tuesday
Course: Silver Creek Valley Country Club
Yardage/Par: 6,146 yards/Par 72
Website: www.SCVCC.com
Course Number/Address: (408) 239-5888
5460 Country Club Pkwy, San Jose 95138
Results: GolfStat.com (following each round)
