May 10, 2009

It's been four years since the Lady Broncs last brought home a minority title, but the women's team broke that streak this Sunday (May 10) afternoon as they captured the 23rd Annual PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championships along with bringing home the individual title captured by Maria Jose Camey.

"I could not be more proud of the girls today. They worked hard and played well and went out there to win by 22 (strokes)," said Director of Men and Women's Golf Ofelia Lopez. "They put an exclamation point on a great season and made history by winning back-to-back titles (conference and minority)."

The women's team took home five top-10 finishes as the Lady Broncs took the top-three spots. Freshman Maria Jose Camey captured the individual title with a 9-over-par 225, Haley Hocott took the runner-up spot with a 12-over-par 228 and senior Mariale Camey placed third overall with a 13-over-par 229.

"Majo has made a statement this year. I think that with the help and camaraderie of her sister and the fights they have, they become so competitive that they thrive off of it and help each other to go for it," said Lopez.

Senior Bronwyn Sandberg and Sarah Kothny finished eighth and ninth respectively as Sandberg tallied a score of 244 and Kothny a 252.

As a team, the women fired a 922 (307-307-308), a 22 stroke lead over last year's winner Bethune-Cookman, who finished second with an overall score of 944, while Hampton finished third with a 1,027.

On the men's side, Tennessee State came from behind to take the men's team title with a three-round score of 860, Bethune-Cookman trailed by one stroke (861) and UTPA finished third overall by a score of 879 (291-292-296). Florida A&M (889) and South Carolina State (892) round out the top-five in the men's division.

Junior Armen Kirakossian finished one stroke behind Robert Cacho (203) from South Carolina State for a second place finish as he shot a 12-under-par 204. Teammate Shane Pearce finished two strokes behind Kirakossian with a 10-under-par 206 for a third place finish.

A.J. Gonzalez and Orlando Moreno tied for 31st with a score of 236, while High Wongchindawest tallied a score of 241 for a 38th place finish.

"Armen and Shane put on a great performance this weekend, which helped us stay in third. I thought we were a better team, but I know we can come back next year and take the title," said Head Men's Golf Coach Santiago De Larrea.

The PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championships wraps up the 2008-09 campaign for the men and women's golf programs.

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