UC Davis Dominates Women's Golf Big West Top Honors

5/2/2012

UC Davis’ top ranked individual, Demi Runas highlighted the awards haul as the 2012 Big West Golfer of the Year, voted on by the seven conference head coaches. UC Davis also brought in honors with head coach Anne Walker being recognized as Big West Women’s Golf Coach of the Year for the third straight year and tournament champion Bev Vatananugulkit awarded Big West Women’s Golf Freshman of the Year.
 
Leading the Aggies to their third consecutive Big West Women’s Golf Championship, Vatananugulkit received the individual tournament medal after she birdied her final four holes in the third round of course play. Vatananugulkit shot a 4-over par 220 for the tournament with rounds of 75-72-73, snagging UCD’s third straight tournament individual title. The first year Aggie had a top finish during the season at the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown, finishing fourth overall out of 89 competitors.
 
For her second consecutive Big West Women’s Golf Player of the Year citation, Runas finished in the top 10 six times with two individual titles. She impacted the Davis squad right off the bat this season with a first place finish at the Ptarmigan Ram Fall Classic, recording a career-low 66 with her first round score. The junior from Torrance, Calif. is currently ranked 62nd in the country by Golfweek with a 73.6 average on the season. Runas was the third Aggie to finish in the top five at the Big West Women’s Golf Championship as she carded a three round score of 277 (+11).
 
Earning her third straight Big West Coach of the Year honor, Walker led the Aggies to their third consecutive conference title and NCAA Division I Regional appearance in her four years as head coach. At this year’s championship at San Luis Obispo Country Club, the Aggies finished with a three round total of 898 (305-295-298).  Walker, who has the Aggies ranked No. 29 in the country, guided three individuals to top five finishes at the 2012 Championships.  Under Walker’s guidance, the Aggies secured the automatic berth to the NCAA Regionals taking place May 10-12.

Runas is also making her third appearance on the All-Big West First Team along with teammate Amy Simanton.  Vatananugulkit and Aggie teammate Jessica Chulya, and UC Irvine’s Lalita Patipaksiri and Michelle Yang received their first nod. The complete teams are listed below: