Wake Forest Dominates UCF Challenge

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Wake Forest Women’s golf team won its first tournament of the spring season at the UCF Challenge at Eagle Creek Golf Club for the second year in a row.
 
In 2022, the Deacs recorded a program-record 45-under-par score of 819 and this season the team’s winning score was 42-under-par. Both scores are top 5 in NCAA history. The Deacs’ 42 under and team score of 822 are both the second-lowest team 54-hole scores in program history.
 
Wake Forest led all teams in scoring on par four and par fives while recording 60 birdies and 189 pars throughout the three-day event. Rachel Kuehn had a team-high 17 birdies. Lauren Walsh was close behind with 14.
 
Walsh turned in a perfect scorecard with zero bogeys in her final round. Walsh had four birdies, two of which back back-to-back to end her round and put her at four under on the day and 12 under for the event.
 
Kuehn led the team at 15 under for the event. Her final round consisted of four birdies, three of which came on her second nine holes and all of which came after her only bogey of the round. Carolina Chacarra also only had one bogey on her final 18 holes, finishing the day two under and eight under for the event. Kuehn, Walsh and Chacarra all finished inside the top 15.
 
Emilia Migliaccio rounded out the Deacs inside the top 20, with an even-par round on the final day to keep her at five under for the tournament. After a tough start with two bogeys on her first four holes, she had three birdies in a row on her second nine holes.
 
Mimi Rhodes improved each day of play, shooting two under in her final round to finish two under for the event. After cracking the top 40 after the second round, her three birdies in her final round helped her crack the top 32 by the end of the tournament.
 
Playing as an individual, freshman Anne-Sterre den Dunnen had her best day on the final day, shooting two under with back-to-back birdies on the 13th and 14th holes.
 
Coach’s Comments
“It’s great to start the season with a win. What we really noticed, which is the theme for this team, is maturity. For the team to be behind the final two days and make a charge at the end to reach their goal shows how much they want it. They understand what needs to be done and can go out and execute. We have a quick turnaround but are excited to get home and ready for the Bahamas in a few days. Go Deacs!” -…