Gracie Piar Captures Utah Tech Trailblazer Invitational, CSUN Takes Second

Tuesday, February 14

Washington, UT // Green Spring GC

All Day

California State University at Northridge

Utah Tech Trailblazer Invitational

Gracie Piar Captures Utah Tech Trailblazer Invitational, CSUN Takes Second

2/14/2023 5:18:00 PM | Women's Golf

Golfstat Results

WASHINGTON, Utah - Freshman Gracie Piar captued CSUN's first individual championship since 2018 to lead the CSUN women's golf team to a season-best, second place finish at the weather-shortened Utah Tech Cafe Zupas Trailblazer Invitational Tuesday at Green Spring Golf Course. Piar_Gracie_23

Piar, who led from start-to-finish, finished round two at 1-over 73 which included a pair of eagles. Piar's opening round 5-under 67 on Monday morning was CSUN's lowest individual round since 2014. With Tuesday's final round canceled due to hail and snow, Piar claimed individual medalist honors at 4-under 140, eight shots better than Rebecca Fernandez of Tarleton State and Hailey Loh of California Baptist who finished tied for second at 4-over 148.

Piar's win is the first for a Matador golfer since Alice Duan won UC Riverside's Battle at the Rock in 2018.

As a team, the Matadors posted rounds of 309-303 to finish in the nine-team field at 36-over 612. CSUN rallied in round two and finished within two shots of California Baptist who claimed the team title at 34-over 610. The Matadors passed Tarleton State (619) in round two while also finishing ahead of host Utah Tech (615).

The second place finish is the best by a CSUN team since the Matadors finished as runners-up at the 2019 Big West Championship at Moorpark Country Club.

CSUN SCORES

In addition to Piar's season-best performance, fellow freshman Kim Turgut also had the best tournament of her young career. In posting her first collegiate top-20 tournament finish, she fired a 4-over 76 in round two to finish in a tie for 15th at 12-over 156.
Three CSUN players finished just outside the top-20, tying for 23rd at 14-over 158. Fernanda Sosa Stackpole and Elle Laur each finished with identical rounds of 81-77 while Grace Bettis, competing as an individual, posted rounds of 80-78.
Julia Myklebust rounded out the CSUN scoring as she is tied for 36th at 18-over 162 following rounds of 83-79.

COACH MICHELLE WINKLER SAID
"I just couldn't be prouder of my team. They held it together and battled through a snowstorm. Gracie is proof that hard work and laser focus on our goals would eventually pay off. This is just the beginning of this program turning the corner. I can't wait to see what the future continues to hold for us."

The Matadors will be off from tournament competition until Mar. 9 when they return to Utah for the Pizza Hut Lady Thunderbird Invitational at Sunbrook GC In Saint George.

#GoMatadors