Nov. 6, 2007
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Purdue women's golf team ended the Hooters Collegiate Match Play Championship in Kissimmee, Fla., with another victory, defeating New Mexico 3-2-0 in the consolation bracket championship. Despite going 3-1, the Boilermakers finished the tournament in ninth place because their one loss occurred in the opening round of play.
Duke captured its fourth Hooters Match Play Championship in as many tries as they defeated Georgia 3-1-1. Duke was also the champion in 2003, 2004 and 2006. This year's Match Play was held at the Ginn Reunion Resort on the Independence Course, a par-72, Tom Watson signature design layout.
Junior Maria Hernandez and freshmen Junthima Gulyanamitta and Maude-Aimee Leblanc were victorious in their final matches of the event. Hernandez easily defeated New Mexico's Alexandra Phelps, 6 and 5. LeBlanc took down Mikaela Backstedt, holding a 5 stroke advantage after 14 holes and Gulyanamitta had a two-stroke advantage over Giselle Claux with one hole to play.
New Mexico's Jodi Ewart defeated junior Christel Boeljon by four strokes with three holes to play and junior Stephanie Oukeo lost her match to Morgan Grantham after trailing by three with two holes remaining.
The Match Play is a modified double-elimination event and the only match play format on the collegiate golf calendar. Invitation to the tournament was based on 2007 NCAA Championships finish.
The 2007 Hooters Women's Collegiate Match Play Championship was presented by the National Golf Coaches Association in association with Hooters of America, Inc. and co-hosted by the Central Florida Sports Commission and Ginn Reunion Resort.
The event was the final tournament of the fall schedule for Purdue. The Boilermakers return to action when they host the Lady Puerto Rico Classic from Feb. 24 to 26, 2008, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Hooters Collegiate Match Play Championship Order of Finish
1st - Duke
2nd - Georgia
3rd - Florida
4th - Tennessee
5th - Alabama
6th - Texas A&M
7th Tied - Oklahoma State
7th Tied - Auburn
9th - Purdue
10th - New Mexico
11th Tied - Denver
11th Tied - Vanderbilt
13th Tied - Louisville
13th Tied - Michigan State
13th Tied - TCU
13th Tied - South Carolina