SEDONA, Ariz. --- Portland senior Paige Rachor closed with an even-par 72 during the final round to claim medalist honors at the Red Rocks Invitational, which concluded on Sunday at the Oak Creek Country Club. Rachor becomes Portland’s first women’s golfer since 2002 to win a tournament’s individual title outright.
Rachor began the day two strokes back of the leader after coming in with a 77 after Saturday’s opening round. But she carded a tournament best seven birdies total en route to a final score of 149 (+5), which was a stroke better than runners-up Maddy Fletcher and Kristin Locke, both of Cal Poly.
Rachor’s win helped Portland to a third-place finish at the 18-team tournament, which was the first event on UP’s spring schedule.
Host school Northern Arizona was able to overcome Cal Poly for the team title. The Lumberjacks began the day in second place, but finished with a team score of 613, which was four strokes ahead of the Mustangs. Behind the Pilots (638) came Eastern Michigan and Xavier, which tied for fourth place with a 641.
Rachor, who missed the entire fall season while recovering from an injury, is Portland’s first tournament winner since Megan Radonich won the Inland Empire in 2002. Rie Ganir tied for the top spot at the Sunriver Classic, also in 2002. Rachor’s previous best individual finish at a full-fielded tournament was a second-place showing at the Matador Spring Invitational in 2007.
UP freshman Avery Collura carded her second career top-20 finish, placing 17th at the Red Rocks. She followed an opening round of 80 with a 79 on Sunday for a total of 159. Fellow freshman Rachael Fischer finished tied for 33rd with a 163 (80-83), while sophomore McKennon O'Rourke tied for 56th with a 168 (86-82). Junior Lisa Okazaki shot a 172 (85-87).
The Pilots are next scheduled to take the course at the Cal Poly Lamkin Grip Invitational at the end of March. The two-day tournament is scheduled to begin on March 24.
Red Rocks Invitational - Final Results
Oak Creek Country Club (Sedona, Ariz.) - Par 72
Team Scores: 1. Northern Arizona (312-301) 613, +37; 2. Cal Poly (307-310) 617, +41; 3. Portland (322-316) 638, +62; t4. Eastern Michigan (320-321) 641, +65; t4. Xavier (323-318) 641, +65; 6. UC Riverside (322-320) 642, +66; 7. Western Michigan (329-314) 643, +67; 8. Grand Canyon (332-318) 650, +74; 9. Louisiana Monroe (331-322) 653, +77; 10. Northern Colorado (340-320) 660, +84; 11. Montana (320-341) 661, +85; 12. Western New Mexico (322-343) 665, +89; 13. Cal State Bakersfield (330-338) 668, +92; 14. Montana State (333-336) 669, +93; 15. Utah Valley (339-332) 671, +95; 16. North Dakota State (344-328) 672, +96; 17. Southern Utah (341-332) 673, +97; 18. USC Upstate (350-340) 690, +114.
Individual Leaders: 1. Paige Rachor, Portland (77-72) 149, +5; t2. Maddy Fletcher, Cal Poly (76-74) 150, +6; t2. Kristin Locke, Cal Poly (75-75) 150, +6; t4. Amy Anderson, North Dakota State (76-75) 151, +7; t4. Alexa Kim, Northern Arizona (80-71) 151, +7; t4. Stephanie Kim, Northern Arizona (76-75) 151, +7.
Portland Scores: 1. Paige Rachor (77-72) 149, +5; t17. Avery Collura (80-79) 159, +15; t33. Rachael Fischer (80-83) 163, +19; t56. McKennon O'Rourke (86-82) 168, +24; t79. Lisa Okazaki (85-87) 172, +28.
