The NCAA News - News and Features

June 1, 1998

Sun Devils' dominant decade continues with sixth title

Arizona State posted a final round of 300 to clinch a return to the throne in the Division I Women's Golf Championships May 20-23 at Madison, Wisconsin.

The Sun Devils earned their sixth team title of the decade with the victory. Florida finished in second place, 18 strokes back.

Leading the way for the Sun Devils was freshman Grace Park, who placed third overall with a four-round total of 283. Park took top scores in both the first and second rounds of play with two 65s. Teammate Kellee Booth finished a stroke behind Park for fourth place, and JeanneMarie Busuttil tied for 20th at 296. Keri Cornelius scored a 299 and Tui Selvaratnum posted a 302 to finish tied for the 27th and the 39th positions, respectively.

Arizona State head coach Linda Vollstedt shared her secret to winning multiple championships.

"Recruiting and getting in nice kids," she said. "Teaching them how to win, making sure they know how to win, and that they feel good about themselves. What a great way to end the year. One more time they peaked at the right time."

Park peaked in the first two rounds but struggled during the final two days of competition.

"I don't know. I'm just going to forget about it," she said when asked to explain. "I'm just glad we were able to defend our team title."

Southern California's Jennifer Rosales earned the individual title with scores of 68 in the first round, 66 in the second, 73 in the third and 72 in the last round of play for a combined score of 279, nine strokes under par and four strokes in front of her nearest competitor, Christina Kuld of Tulsa.

Rosales began the final round with three bogeys.

"I thought it was the end of the world," she said. "I had this feeling that I was going to win. I just had to hang in there and hit one good shot at a time."

After a weather delay stopped play when Rosales was on the 14th green, she called her mom in the Philippines.

"She calmed me down and told me to forget about it (the delay) and to hang in there," Rosales said. "She told me to just play my game. I was so nervous, but she calmed me down."

Kuld's second-place finish featured rounds of 70, 72, 68 and 72.

"I played good golf and so did she (Rosales)," Kuld said. "I played really good golf this week. I really wanted to win, but I'm happy with my second place finish."