This article was originally published on April 1, 2022.
The ASU women’s golf team won its home tournament, the PING/ASU Invitational, for the first time since 2017 last Sunday. The Sun Devils compiled a team score of 839, which was fifteen shots lower than the second-place team, the University of Oregon.
In addition, Arizona State senior Alexandra Försterling won the tournament’s individual championship by two strokes with a score of 207.
During the awards ceremony at the end of the tournament, ASU head coach Missy Farr-Kaye broke into tears talking about Försterling.
“I’m not sure we could be more proud of anybody,” Farr-Kaye said. “It’s been a long journey and to see [Försterling] get to this point and win this tournament…I’m just so proud of [her].”
Hosted at ASU’s par-72 home course, Papago Golf Club, the tournament welcomed an extremely talented field of players, including the first and second-ranked teams in the country, Stanford and Oregon, respectively, as well as six other teams nationally ranked in the top 25.
The Sun Devils started the tournament strong on the first day, securing the lead in the team section with a 280, eight under par, which was five shots ahead of second place Stanford. Försterling led the individuals with a 66, six under par, while sophomore Ashley Menne tied for third place with a three under par 69.
The second round was a historic day for the Sun Devil program, as the team collectively shot thirteen under par at 275, which was the fourth lowest round total in program history. Menne and Försterling led the way once again, but it was Menne’s score of 67 that temporarily propelled her into first place, while Försterling maintained sole possession of second place posting a 71.
“I think [Menne and Försterling] feed off of each other,” Farr-Kaye said. “I love to see that confidence, and the support of each other is just fantastic.”
ASU’s dominant performance on the first two days put them in prime position to start the final round. The Sun Devils were awarded the latest tee times of the morning, with all six of their groups competing consecutively. With Menne and Försterling in the last two groups, the team battled the blazing heat for hours to complete the final 18 holes.
Försterling’s two under par 70 in the final round allowed her to take first place once again, finishing two strokes above Menne, who finished the day with a one over par 73 to tie with UCLA junior Emma Spitz for second place.
Menne and Försterling were also recently invited to participate in this year’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur, which invites some of the best golfers from around the world to compete at the Augusta National Golf Club this week through April 2 before the professionals take the course for the Masters April 7-10. Menne had the honor of hitting the first tee shot to open the tournament on Wednesday.
As of April 1, Arizona State sits in the sixth spot in Golfstat’s NCAA D1 rankings. The Sun Devils travel to Napa, California next week for the Silverado Showdown April 4-6 before postseason competition begins at the Pac 12 championships in Oregon.
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