Whitley Bay’s Rosie Belsham has won the first tournament of her college career – taking home individual medallist honours with a 54-hole total of six under-par at the Collegiate Invitational at Guadalajara Country Club.
Rosie, who is in her third year of a scholarship at Baylor University in Texas, was also part of the winning team, which led the field with an eight over-par total of 872 to seal a 10-shot victory over Florida State.
Rosie began the final day with a one over-par 37 to finish her second round at even par and lie in a tie for third place. After a bogey to open the third round, she reeled off five birdies over her next eight holes to shoot a four under-par 32 on the front nine. She made two more birdies at the 11th and 12th holes to get to six under-par for the round and hold the lead. A bogey at the 14th was followed by one last birdie at 16 which sealed a one-shot victory.
Rosie’s score of 210 is one of just 15 scores of 210 or better in program history on a par-72 course, while she also moved into the top-10 in career top-fives (five) with the win.
Head coach Jay Goble, who has now coached the team to 21 wins by 11 different players in his tenure, said: “I am so proud of this group. This is a challenging golf course that tests every part of your game and every bit of your patience. For them to battle the way they did, and continue to grind for two straight days just shows really how great they are.
“I am very proud and happy for Rosie. She puts in the hard work every day to get better. She is gaining confidence, and I believe the sky is the limit for her.”
