Staff Report
Add another item to the memory bank.
For Lobo golfer Alexandra Phelps, competing in the NCAA Tournament ranks among her most memorable experiences in her career at UNM.
"It's been a great experience," she told GoLobos.com. "And regardless of what I shot this weekend, I knew I would leave with so many great memories. Overall, I'm happy to have competed well and ended on a good note, but it wouldn't have changed my outlook on my college career."
Phelps was the lone Lobo to compete in the NCAA Championships, as UNM didn't qualify as a team. She concluded the tournament tied for 20th, shooting a 296 for 8-over-par.
Phelps came out hot on the first day of the tournament, sinking two early birdies in the first three holes.
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"Obviously, everyone wants to start off well," she said. "You don't want to start off making bogeys, and I just happened to make two pretty long putts for birdies. So, it was kind of like, wow, that's two free strokes because those aren't usually putts that go in. I was kind of up and rolling from the beginning."
Phelps said her familiarity with the course - UNM hosted the NCAA Championships - probably contributed to her early success.
"There's a lot of advantages to being at home," she said. "I couldn't have asked for a better situation - nationals at home my senior year - I'm just trying to make the most of it."
She finished the day tied for second with a 3-under-par, which was a career-best.
Although Phelps didn't come close to another 3-under-par performance - shooting a 4-over 76 in rounds two and three and a 3-over 75 in the final round - she showcased what was the best performance by a Lobo since 2001 when alum Claudia Ferrini finished tied for 23rd place.
"It was tough out there," she said. "I mean, the stopping and the going. But (UNM head coach) Jill (Trujillo) really helped me out there, keeping me focused and keeping me grinding away. But it's been a long week. But overall, I felt that I stuck it out."
