Sunday, April 25
Maineville, Ohio (TPC River's Bend)
Michigan State University
vs
Big Ten Championships
Spartans Win Big Ten Championship
4/25/2021 8:15:00 PM | Women's Golf
MAINEVILLE, Ohio – The Michigan State women's golf team is champions of the Big Ten once again. The Spartans captured their third title since 2017 and sixth since 2011 on Sunday, finishing 11-under-par 853 (286-281-286) at TPC River's Bend, five shots ahead of the three teams in second place – Maryland, Nebraska and Michigan.
>> GOLFSTAT
The Spartans, who led after round one, entered Sunday tied atop the leaderboard with Maryland. However, MSU got off to another fast start and was able to hold off Maryland, compiling a 2-under-par 286 in the final round.
The Big Ten title is the eighth under head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll (2001, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2021) and 14th in program history. The Spartans have won their last three Big Ten titles at TPC River's Bend and this year's 11-under-par 853 was the lowest of their three winning scores at the course.
"We talked about this morning that we've kind of owned this golf course and played well here every year, so we didn't see why we couldn't win another title," Slobodnik-Stoll said. "This was truly a team effort – everyone contributed in a big way at one time or another."
Four Spartans finished in the top 14, led by junior Valery Plata who tied for third place at 5-under-par 211 (75-68-68). Plata, who played bogey-free with a 4-under-par 68 on Saturday, got out to a hot start again on Sunday with two birdies over the first four holes and three on the front nine to make the turn at 3-under-par. A birdie on the 17th helped her pick up another stroke to record her second straight 4-under-par 68.
Plata also took home the Big Ten Mary Fossum Award for lowest stroke average to par (-0.57). She's the first Spartan to win the award named after the late MSU coach since Sarah Burnham in 2018.
"We knew there were good things to come for Valery after her first round," Slobodnik-Stoll said. "To have Valery win the Mary Fossum Award was very special."
Fossum, who coached the Spartans to six Big Ten titles, passed away in December at the age of 93.
"I'll miss presenting Mary with a ring, but it felt really good to win this tournament for her and her family," Slobodnik-Stoll said.
Paz Marfa Sans had her best round of the tournament on Sunday with a 2-under-par 70, helping her to her to an eighth-place finish at 2-under-par 214 (72-72-70). It marked the second career top-10 Big Ten Championships finish for Marfa Sans.
On Sunday, Marfa Sans made the turn at even par, then played flawlessly on the back nine, recording two birdies and seven pars to card her best round of the tournament.
"On the first tee today, I told her 'This is why you came back," Slobodnik-Stoll said of her conversation with Marfa Sans, who is in her fifth year. "She sealed the deal for us today. She played great, she was steady and did what she needed to do. She's just an awesome teammate."
A pair of freshmen in Leila Raines and Valentina Rossi proved crucial to the Spartans' title run placing 11th and 14th, respectively. Raines, who led the tournament after the opening round, tied for 11th place at even-par 216 (69-71-76) after a 4-over-par 76 on Sunday. Rossi shot a 1-over-par 73 on Sunday and was 1-over-par 217 (74-70-73) for the tournament, tying for 14th place.
"I'd say the freshmen did their job," Slobodnik-Stoll said with a laugh. "Valentina shooting a 70 yesterday really gave her confidence. She's seen her teammates do it all year so to see her play like that was awesome to watch."
Senior Yurika Tanida shot a 3-over-par 75 on Sunday to finish 4-over-par 220 (72-73-75) and tie for 20th place, giving the Spartans five players in the top 20.
Haylin Harris shot an 8-over-par 80 on Sunday to finish the tournament 11-over-par 227 (73-74-80) and tied for 45th place.
Nebraska's Kate Smith shot an 8-under-par 64 on Sunday to win the individual title at 9-under-par 207.
The conference championship gives the Spartans the Big Ten's automatic bid to the NCAA Championships, which begins with Regionals, May 10-12. The NCAA Women's Golf Championships selection show will air on the Golf Channel on Wednesday, April 28, beginning at 2 p.m. ET.
>> GOLFSTAT
The Spartans, who led after round one, entered Sunday tied atop the leaderboard with Maryland. However, MSU got off to another fast start and was able to hold off Maryland, compiling a 2-under-par 286 in the final round.
The Big Ten title is the eighth under head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll (2001, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2021) and 14th in program history. The Spartans have won their last three Big Ten titles at TPC River's Bend and this year's 11-under-par 853 was the lowest of their three winning scores at the course.
"We talked about this morning that we've kind of owned this golf course and played well here every year, so we didn't see why we couldn't win another title," Slobodnik-Stoll said. "This was truly a team effort – everyone contributed in a big way at one time or another."
Four Spartans finished in the top 14, led by junior Valery Plata who tied for third place at 5-under-par 211 (75-68-68). Plata, who played bogey-free with a 4-under-par 68 on Saturday, got out to a hot start again on Sunday with two birdies over the first four holes and three on the front nine to make the turn at 3-under-par. A birdie on the 17th helped her pick up another stroke to record her second straight 4-under-par 68.
Plata also took home the Big Ten Mary Fossum Award for lowest stroke average to par (-0.57). She's the first Spartan to win the award named after the late MSU coach since Sarah Burnham in 2018.
"We knew there were good things to come for Valery after her first round," Slobodnik-Stoll said. "To have Valery win the Mary Fossum Award was very special."
Fossum, who coached the Spartans to six Big Ten titles, passed away in December at the age of 93.
"I'll miss presenting Mary with a ring, but it felt really good to win this tournament for her and her family," Slobodnik-Stoll said.
Paz Marfa Sans had her best round of the tournament on Sunday with a 2-under-par 70, helping her to her to an eighth-place finish at 2-under-par 214 (72-72-70). It marked the second career top-10 Big Ten Championships finish for Marfa Sans.
On Sunday, Marfa Sans made the turn at even par, then played flawlessly on the back nine, recording two birdies and seven pars to card her best round of the tournament.
"On the first tee today, I told her 'This is why you came back," Slobodnik-Stoll said of her conversation with Marfa Sans, who is in her fifth year. "She sealed the deal for us today. She played great, she was steady and did what she needed to do. She's just an awesome teammate."
A pair of freshmen in Leila Raines and Valentina Rossi proved crucial to the Spartans' title run placing 11th and 14th, respectively. Raines, who led the tournament after the opening round, tied for 11th place at even-par 216 (69-71-76) after a 4-over-par 76 on Sunday. Rossi shot a 1-over-par 73 on Sunday and was 1-over-par 217 (74-70-73) for the tournament, tying for 14th place.
"I'd say the freshmen did their job," Slobodnik-Stoll said with a laugh. "Valentina shooting a 70 yesterday really gave her confidence. She's seen her teammates do it all year so to see her play like that was awesome to watch."
Senior Yurika Tanida shot a 3-over-par 75 on Sunday to finish 4-over-par 220 (72-73-75) and tie for 20th place, giving the Spartans five players in the top 20.
Haylin Harris shot an 8-over-par 80 on Sunday to finish the tournament 11-over-par 227 (73-74-80) and tied for 45th place.
Nebraska's Kate Smith shot an 8-under-par 64 on Sunday to win the individual title at 9-under-par 207.
The conference championship gives the Spartans the Big Ten's automatic bid to the NCAA Championships, which begins with Regionals, May 10-12. The NCAA Women's Golf Championships selection show will air on the Golf Channel on Wednesday, April 28, beginning at 2 p.m. ET.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
Never Playing Alone | Spartans All-Access
Tuesday, May 20
Moving in the Right Direction | Spartans All-Access
Monday, February 10
Day in the Life with Women's Golf | Spartans All-Access
Tuesday, October 01
Michgan State Women's Golf at NCAA Championships | Cinematic Highlight | May 17-19,2024
Tuesday, May 21