Michaela Vavrova Shines with Top 5 Finish at Sam Golden Invitational

In an awe-inspiring performance, senior golfer Michaela Vavrova shot a final-round 68 (-4) to set a new career-best tournament score of 205 (-11), earning her a joint fifth-place finish and leading the Nebraska women’s golf team at the Sam Golden Invitational this Tuesday.

Hailing from Bojnice, Slovakia, Vavrova showcased her skills by sinking five birdies, 12 pars, and just a single bogey. Her tournament statistics were equally impressive: 16 birdies, 34 pars, three bogeys, and one double-bogey across 54 holes. This feat earned her the third-best individual tournament score in the history of Nebraska women’s golf. Her score of 205 bests her previous career-high of 216 (E) set earlier this year at the 2023 Westbrook Spring Invitational.

Sophomore Kelli Ann Strand from Challis, Idaho, was the Huskers’ second-best finisher, landing in a tie for 13th with a final-round score of 71 (-1) and a tournament total of 209 (-7).

Although the opening day saw a flurry of low scores over two rounds, only Vavrova and Strand managed to score under par on the final day. The Huskers closed with an even-par 288, sliding to a tie for fifth with a team total of 844 (-20), in a field that included seven teams that had qualified for the 2023 NCAA Regionals.

Houston dominated the team category, posting a remarkable 268 (-20) in the final round to finish at 816 (-48), the fourth-best three-round team score in NCAA women’s golf history. The individual leaderboard also favored Houston, with Ellen Yates claiming the medalist honors at 202 (-14).

Junior Miu Takahashi contributed Nebraska’s third-best score on Tuesday with a 74, ending the tournament tied for 54th at 220 (+4). Freshman Arden Louchheim made her collegiate debut with a 75 in the final round, finishing in a tie for 45th at 218 (+2).

Other notable Husker performances included junior Lena Hassert, who ended the tournament at 215 (-1), and senior Lindsey Thiele, who finished at 219 (+3).

The Nebraska women’s golf team will be back in action next week at the Mary Fossum Invitational, set for Sept. 17-18 at the Forest Akers West Golf Course in East Lansing, Michigan.

Sam Golden Invitational Final Results

Team Standings

1. Houston: 816 (-48)
2. North Texas: 829 (-35)
3. UTSA: 837 (-27)
4. Missouri: 843 (-21) T5. Nebraska: 844 (-20) T5. Tulsa: 844 (-20) …

Individual Standings

1. Ellen Yates, Houston: 202 (-14) T2. Nicole Abelar, Houston: 204 (-12) T2. Daniela Abonce, UTSA: 204 (-12) T5. Michaela Vavrova, Nebraska: 205 (-11) …

Nebraska Individuals

T5. Michaela Vavrova: 205 (-11) T13. Kelli Ann Strand: 209 (-7) T35. Lena Hassert: 215 (-1) T45. Arden Louchheim: 218 (+2) T52. Lindsey Thiele: 219 (+3) T54. Miu Takahashi: 220 (+4)