Rockets to Compete Against Nation’s Top Programs at Golfweek Conference Challenge

Monday, September 21

Vail, CO

All Day

University of Toledo

Golfweek Conference Challenge

Senior Manisas Isavas placed eighth at last week's Mary Fossum Invitational.

Rockets to Compete Against Nation’s Top Programs at Golfweek Conference Challenge

9/19/2015 7:23:00 PM | Women's Golf

TOLEDO, OH — Toledo will compete in the seventh-annual Golfweek Conference Challenge for a second straight season when it travels to Colorado next week. The tournament will be held Monday-Wednesday, Sept. 21-23 and will feature the top teams from 18 different conferences across the country at the par-72, 6,262-yard Tom Fazio Course at Red Sky Golf Club.

     The Rockets notched their second-straight third-place finish at Michigan State's Mary Fossum Invitational last week. UT finished just one shot of the host Spartans and 15 strokes back behind champion Notre Dame (309-297-307=913).

     Sathika Ruenreong opened her senior season with a bang as she earned medalist honors at the Fossum event to earn Mid-American Conference Women's Golfer of the Week accolades. The Kanchanaburi, Thailand Thailand native carded an even-par 216 (75-69-72) to win her third collegiate tournament title. Classmate Manisa Isavas joined her classmate in the Top 10, placing eight at eight-over par 224 ( -72).

     Ruenreong ranked fourth in the MAC with a 74.7 stroke average en route to becoming the first Rocket to earn first-team All-MAC accolades on three occasions. Isavas received second-team All-MAC accolades for a second-straight year after posting a 76.7 mark that ranked ninth in the league.

     Ruenreong and Isavas will be joined in UT's lineup in the Rocky Mountain State by senior Morgan Salm, sophomore Napaphan Phongpaiboon and freshman Pimchanok Kawil.

     "Finishing third at Michigan State was a great way to start our season," Head Coach Nicole Hollingsworth said. "Now we need to maintain our focus and compete against one of the best fields we'll ever face. It's going to be exciting to play in the Golfweek Challenge, and I can't wait to see how we respond."

     The Rockets will be competing against a top-flight field that includes nine programs that were ranked in the Top 75 of the final Golfstat's 2014-15 rankings. No. 21 Arizona State leads the way and is followed by No. 28 San Diego State, No. 30 Pepperdine, No. 45 TCU, No. 47 Campbell, No. 53 Denver, No. 56 Florida International, No. 70 Long Beach State and No. 73 Memphis.

     UT registered a 12th-place showing at last year's Challenge with a team score of 65-over par 929. The Rockets were hurt by their final nine holes of the second round when they shot 28-over par. Pepperdine captured the tournament for a third-straight year with an impressive two-under par 862 (284-298-280).

2015 Golfweek Challenge Quick Facts
Date: Sept. 21-23, 2015
Where: Tom Fazio Course at Red Sky Golf Club (Par 72, 6,262 yards) in Wolcott, CO
Teams: Arizona State, Boston College, Campbell, Denver, Florida International, Jacksonville, Lamar, Long Beach State, Memphis, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico State, Pepperdine, San Diego State, TCU, Toledo, Troy, Wichita State