LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. - Freshman Alice Kim and sophomore Tai Jade 'TJ' Kliebphipat finished first and second, respectively, at the second annual Gonzaga Spring Individual women's golf tournament Sunday at Liberty Lake Golf Course.
Kim, playing in the last group, shot a 4-over par 74 while Kliebphipat had a 76 on a day in which conditions were less than ideal.
The tournament was an individual affair with no team scores kept and was originally scheduled for 36 holes. But inclement weather mid-morning forced a delay in the final groups teeing off and the event was reduced to 18 holes.
Kim started the day with a bogey five and then played par golf the rest of the front nine until recording her lone birdie of the day at the 369-yard, par 4 ninth hole. She had bogeys on 10, 13, 17 and 18 on the back nine to go with five pars.
Kliebphipat had two bogeys on the front nine and recorded her lone birdie of the day on the 330-yard, par 4 18th hole.
The Zags also got solid performances out of Stephanie Corey, Victoria Fallgren and Han Wu in the 6-way tie for third at 77. Genavive 'Genna' Dodge shot a 79 and Jessica Howe an 85.
The third-place tie was broken with a reverse scorecard playoff, Katelyn Frank of the University of Montana claiming the third place trophy.
Gonzaga head coach Brad Rickel was disappointed he didn't get the full 36 holes to judge his team one more time before choosing the five-person travel party for the West Coast Conference Championship April 16-18.
"I'm a little bit bummed the weather didn't cooperate. It was very challenging out there with the weather and the scores were higher than they would have been had it not been so cold, windy and rainy."
But Rickel liked the way his team competed on the blustery day.
"I'm proud how my team fought through it and shot as good as you could shoot today. I'm happy for Alice since she's been so close as a freshman after taking second twice," he said.
But picking his WCC delegation didn't get any easier.
"I think it was one more day toward figuring out our conference team. The picture is clear in some ways and more crowded in other ways," he said.
