STANFORD, Calif. – The top-ranked Stanford women's golf team begins its quest for a second national title on Friday in the NCAA Championships at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois. It marks the 25th consecutive year the Cardinal has been selected to participate in the NCAA Championships.
Last week, the Cardinal won the NCAA Albuquerque Regional in New Mexico by seven strokes over Duke to advance to Illinois. It was the first right outright regional title in school history, Stanford sharing the crown in 2007 and 2016.
Freshman Albane Valenzuela led the way by claiming her first collegiate victory.
After fashioning the best regular season record in program history by winning four tournaments, Stanford now has five triumphs and has finished third or higher in all but one start.
Stanford is paced by senior Casey Danielson, freshmen Andrea Lee and Valenzuela, each named All-Pac-12 First Team. Lee is ranked No. 2 in the country (ANNIKA Watch List) and this week was named to the WCGA Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year watch lists. She has recorded three victories and boasts a team-best 71.26 scoring average.
NCAA Championships
Rich Harvest Farms
Sugar Grove, Illinois
Par-72 • 6,343 yards)
Friday-Wednesday, May 19-24
Live Results
GoStanford.com
The Lowdown
• Stanford won five tournaments during the spring season
• In the second round of the Silverado Showdown in Napa, California, all five players broke par for the first time in program history
• In addition to three wins, Andrea Lee has registered seven top 3s in nine starts, and is on track to break the freshman and season scoring records. She has tallied a team-best 10 rounds in the 60s
• This week, Lee was named to the WGCA Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year watch lists.
• Senior Casey Danielson earned eight straight top 10 showings and has produced six top 5s. She recently completed her degree in public policy
• On Thursday, Danielson received the Dinah Shore Trophy Award presented to a top women's collegiate golfer who excels in academics and community invovlement
• Freshman Albane Valenzuela from Geneva, Switzerland, represented her country last summer at the Rio Olympics, and tied for 21st to share low amateur honors. She was the youngest to participate.
• Junior Shannon Aubert came on strong the last three events, finishing 16th or higher
The Lineup
• Freshman Andrea Lee, senior Casey Danielson, freshman Albane Valenzuela, junior Shannon Aubert, freshman Madie Chou
The Format
• Twenty-four teams and 12 individuals will play 54 holes of stroke play over three days, with teams counting the best four out of five scores each day. The top 15 teams and nine individuals not on an advancing team move on to the fourth round of medal play on Monday, when an individual medalist will be crowned. The top eight teams advance to match play Tuesday, when quarterfinal and semifinal matches will be contested. Winners play for the national title on Wednesday.
The Field
• Alabama, Arizona State, Baylor, Cal, Clemson, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Furman, Kent State, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oregon, Pepperdine, Purdue, Stanford, South Carolina, Texas, Texas Tech, USC
Tee Times
• Stanford starts Friday on the 10th tee from 12:30 until 1:14 p.m. CT, and starts Saturday off the first tee from 7:30 a.m. through 8:14 a.m. CT. Both rounds will be played with Alabama and Florida
The Course
Located about 25 miles west of downtown Chicago, the course was designed by Jerry Rich in 1997. It features wooded hillsides, open fields, natural streams and wetlands, and more than 100 strategically placed bunkers. The course has been consistently ranked among the top 100 in the country by Golf Digest and played host to the Solheim Cup in 2009, and the Palmer Cup and Western Amateur in 2015
The History
• Stanford captured the program's first NCAA title in 2015 and was runner up in 2016
2016-17 Season Results
Oct. 3-4, 2016 Windy City Collegiate 2nd
Oct. 14-16, 2016 Stanford Intercollegiate 2nd
Oct. 24-25, 2016 Pac-12 Preview 3rd
Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 2016 East Lake Cup 3rd
Feb. 11-12, 2017 Peg Barnard Invitational Won
Feb. 19-21, 2017 Allstate Sugar Bowl Inter. Won
Feb. 27-28, 2017 Bruin Wave Invitational Won
March 27-29, 2017 Anuenue Spring Break Classic 5th
April 9-11, 2017 Silverado Showdown Won
April 24-26, 2017 Pac-12 Championships 3rd
May 8-10, 2017 NCAA Regional 1st
Individual Results
Shannon Aubert
• Tied for 41st in Windy City Collegiate Championship (76-71-76, 223, +7)
• Tied for 46th at Stanford Intercollegiate (74-78, 152, +10)
• Tied for 17th at Pac-12 Preview (72-76-76, 224, +5)
• Tied for fifth at East Lake Cup (71, -1)
• Tied for 18th at Peg Barnard Invitational (77-72, 149 +7)
• Tied for 24th at Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate (71-74-76, 221, +5)
• Tied for 22nd at Bruin Wave Invitational (77-78-78, 233, +14)
• Tied for 22nd at Anuenue Spring Break Classic (73-76-75, 224, +8)
• Tied for 13th at Silverado Showdown (75-71-70, 216, E)
• Tied for 16th at Pac-12 Championships (75-79-71, 225, +9)
• Tied for 11th at NCAA Regional (72-71-76, 219, +3)
• Scoring average (29 rounds): 74.57
Madie Chou
• Tied for 46th at Stanford Intercollegiate (76-76, 152, +10)
• Tied for eighth at Peg Barnard Invitational (71-75, 146, +4)
• Tied for 20th at Bruin Wave Invitational (75-77-80, 232, +13)
• Tied for 12th at Anuenue Spring Break Classic (75-69-75, 219, ,+3)
• Tied for 21st at Silverado Showdown (76-69-73, 218, +2)
• Tied for 30th at Pac-12 Championships (75-75-80, 230, +14)
• Scoring average (16 rounds): 74.81
Casey Danielson
• All-Pac-12 First Team
• Recipient of Tom Cousins Award for academics and community involvement
• Tied for 12th at Windy City Collegiate Classic (73-70-73, 216, E)
• Fourth at Stanford Intercollegiate (72-69, 141, -1)
•Tied for seventh at Pac-12 Preview (68-76-75, 219, E)
• Second at East Lake Cup (68, -4)
• Fourth at Peg Barnard Invitational (74-69, 143, +1)
• Tied for third at Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate (72-67-74, 213, -3)
• Tied for third at Bruin Wave Invitational (72-76-75, 223, +4)
• Tied for 10th at Anuenue Spring Break Classic (73-73-72, 218, +2)
• Tied for fourth at Silverado Showdown (69-69-73, 211, -5)
• Tied for 22nd at Pac-12 Championships (79-77-72, 228, +12)
• Tied for 11th at NCAA Regional (72-73-74, 219, +3)
• Scoring average (29 rounds): 72.37
Andrea Lee
• All-Pac-12 First Team
• Won Windy City Collegiate Championship (68-71-67, 206, -10)
• Tied for second at Stanford Intercollegiate (72-68, 140, -2)
• Tied for 23rd at Pac-12 Preview (76-75-76, 227, +8)
• Won East Lake Cup (68, -4)
• Won Peg Barnard Invitational (67-67, 134, -8)
• Second at Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate (76-68-68, 212, -4)
• Tied for 11th at Bruin Wave Invitational (76-74-76, 226, +7)
• Third at Silverado Showdown (67-68-73, 211, -7)
• Tied for third at Pac-12 Championships (72-70-75, 217, +1)
• Tied for eighth at NCAA Regional (75-70-73, 218, +1)
• Scoring average (26 rounds): 71.242
Albane Valenzuela
• All-Pac-12 First Team
• Tied for 37th at Stanford Intercollegiate (74-77, 151, +9)
• Third at Pac-12 Preview (74-72-70, 216, -3)
• Tied for 13th at East Lake Cup (76, +4)
• Tied for eighth at Peg Barnard Invitational (71-75, 146, +4)
• Tied for 10th at Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate (74-69-74, 217, +1)
• Tied for third at Bruin Wave Invitational (70-77-76, 223, +4)
• Tied for 11th at Pac-12 Championships (74-76-72, 222, +6)
• First at NCAA Regional (71-69-70, 210, -6)
• Scoring average (20 rounds): 73.05
Season Review
Regional Win
• Freshman Albane Valenzuela secured her first collegiate victory to spark top-ranked Stanford to a seven-stroke win at the NCAA Albuquerque Regional in New Mexico. Playing in windy conditions all three days at UNM South Championship Course, the Cardinal saved its best for last, combing for a 5-under 283 in the final round. Four Stanford players placed in the top 11, led Valenzuela, who fired 71-69-70 to finish at 6-under 210, good for a three-shot win.
Finishing Kick
•Saving its best for last, the Cardinal posted a 2-over final round score of 290 to finish third at the Pac-12 Championships at windy Sewailo Golf Club in Tucson, Arizona. Freshman Andrea Lee led Stanford by tying for third, registering rounds of 72-70-75 to finish at 1-over 217. Albane Valenzuela, energized by an eagle at the par-5 fifth, closed with an even-par 72 and tied for 11th at 6-over 222.
Big Win in Wine Country
• Stanford completed a record-breaking week by successfully defending its title in the Silverado Showdown at cool and rainy Silverado Resort & Spa in Napa, California. The Cardinal closed with a 1-over score of 289 to finish with a program best 16-under total of 848 (on a par-72 course) to claim a nine stroke victory over UCLA in the 18-school tournament. It was the fourth triumph in five spring starts, matching the season record set in 2013-14. In the second round, all five Stanford players broke par for the first time in school history, combining for a record 12-under 276. Four Cardinal's earned top 20 finishes, and the team's highest score was 76.
Golf in Paradise
• Stanford returned to competition after finals and a one-month respite by finishing fifth at the 15-team Anuenue Spring Break at Kapalua Bay Resort in Maui, Hawaii. Danielson garnered her seventh consecutive top 10 showing by tying for 10th at 2-over 218, while freshman Madie Chou earned a share of 12th at 219. The Cardinal competed without Andrea Lee and Albane Valenzuela. Both received amateur exemptions to play in LPGA Tour's ANA Inspiration.
Riding the Wave
• The Cardinal made it three-in-a-row at the Bruin Wave Invitational at San Luis Obispo Country Club in San Luis Obispo, California. Playing in tough, windy conditions, Stanford led from start from finish, holding on for a one-stroke victory over co-host UCLA. Casey Danielson and Albane Valenzuela sparked the triumph by tying for third at 4-over 223.
Sugar Bowl Sensation
• The team extended its winning streak to two by capturing the 17-team Allstate Sugar Bowl Classic at English Turn Golf & Country Club in New Orleans by 11 shots. The Cardinal recorded a second round score of 8-under 278, the second-lowest in program history. Stanford completed the 54-hole event hosted by Tulane with a score of 1-under 863. Casey Danielson carded a career-best 67 in the second round, while Andrea Lee posted 68 and Albane Valenzuela 69. Danielson tied for third individually at 3-under 213, and Valenzuela tied for 10th.
Wire-to-Wire
• Stanford opened the spring season by securing a 10-stroke victory on its home course in the Peg Barnard Invitational. Andrea Lee led the way with rounds of 67-67 to finish at 8-under and earned medalist honors by six strokes for her third win of the season in the 12-team tournament. Senior Casey Danielson (t-4) and freshmen Madie Chou (t-8) and Albane Valenzuela (t-8) also earned top 10s.
East Lake Cup
• Stanford concluded its fall season on a winning note by beating UCLA, 3-2, to claim the consolation crown for the second consecutive year in the prestigious East Lake Cup at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. The Cardinal received victories from senior Casey Danielson, junior Shannon Aubert and freshman Andrea Lee in the come-from-behind triumph. Lee won medalist honors, tying with Danielson with a 4-under 68, then defeated her on the sixth hole of a sudden death playoff.
Two Top 10s
• Stanford placed two players in the top 10 and finished third in the Pac-12 Preview at Nanea Golf Club in Kona, Hawaii. Freshman Albane Valenzuela captured third and senior Casey Danielson tied for seventh in the inaugural 54-hole event on the scenic and challenging par-73 course. The Cardinal closed with a 5-over score of 297 to conclude at 13-over 889. Arizona fired a final-round 7-under 279 to win at 3-over 879.
Second on Home Turf
• The Cardinal finished second in the Stanford Intercollegiate hosted by Professor Condoleezza Rice at Stanford Golf Course. Sunday's final round was cancelled due to rain, reducing the event to 36 holes. UCLA captured the team title for the third time, finishing at 4-over 572, followed by Stanford at 15-over 583 in the 17-school event. Bronte Law of UCLA won medalist honors at 7-under 135. Stanford freshman Andrea Lee tied for second with scores of 72-68 to finish at 2-under 140. Senior Casey Danielson came in fourth with rounds of 72-69 and checked in at 1-under 141.
Memorable Debut
• Receiving clutch performances from throughout the lineup, Stanford finished second in the season-opening Windy City Collegiate at Glen View Club in Chicago. The Cardinal combined for a final-round score of 3-under par 285 – the best of the day – and completed the 54-hole tournament at 6-under 858. Freshman Andrea Lee made a spectacular college debut by capturing the individual crown, the first by a Stanford frosh since 2012, when Mariah Stackhouse won the Peg Barnard Invitational. Lee closed with a 5-under 67 and wound up at 10-under 206, one stroke ahead of Bailey Tardy of Georgia (207), by pouring in a clutch 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole.