TEAM USA brings home four medals at World Golf Championships

TEAM USA before the Closing Ceremony at the Castle Alcazaba. Coaches L to R: Diane Thomason, Ashley Bauer, Catherine O’Donnell, Kim Haddow. Front row L to R: Stefanie Kenoyer Furman, Laura Kueny, Laura Anderson

The 13th World University Golf Championships were held June 8-13,  2010 at Antequera Golf Resort in Antequera, Spain where the United States Women’s Team captured the Bronze medal as well as the Gold Medal Individual honors! Head Coach Diane Thomason from the University of Iowa and Kim Haddow, former U of Arizona women’s golf coach and current LPGA Teaching Professional at Antelope Hills in Prescott, coached a star studded team to a 605, 3rd place finish for the USA that included 5th place finisher Ashley Bauer from Michigan (75-80-72-77), 8th place finisher Stefanie Kenoyer from Furman (75-83-73-77), and 17th place finisher Laura Kueny from Michigan State (84-76-75-81). France won the event with a team score of 598, and China Taipei was one ahead of the USA at 604. USA individual players included Tournament Medalist Catherine O’Donnell from North Carolina who carded a 75-70-71-74 and 5th place finisher Laura Anderson from U of Louisville with 73-80-80-71.  

The FISU World University Golf Championships are held every two years.  “It was exciting to win the Team Gold Medal 2 years ago in Sun City, South Africa,” said Kim Haddow, “but the competition was more fierce this year.  It was a close finish among all the teams competing. Four of the United States players came home with medals and we are very proud of our performance. The golf course was spectacular. I felt like I was hiking the Grand Canyon every day for 6 days! The hospitality of the people was especially warm and genuine. FISU and Spain put on a first class event that included a welcome from Antonio Banderas!!! It was a tremendous opportunity for our university players to meet and compete against other university players from around the world. I know our players felt like this was an opportunity of a lifetime. By Friday night at the closing ceremony, even with language barriers, the girls had made friends that they will keep in touch with forever. We had one afternoon free where we were able to experience Antequera and all it’s rich history, see a bull ring and museum, explore a castle and tour many very old churches dating back to 850 AD. The people of Antequera were excited to host us and share a part of their lives with us. It was an honor for me to be asked to be a part of this wonderful experience.”