Prince George native Natasha Kozlowski and the Simon Fraser University Red Leafs are bringing the Great Northwest Athletic Conference women’s golf title back to Canada.
They shot to the top of the class Tuesday in the final round of the two-day team tournament in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Kozlowski finished in a tie for fourth place with SFU teammate Izzy Ferguson, both having totalled 10-over 152 scores.
SFU totalled 609, breaking the GNAC team record by two strokes, 21 ahead of second-place Saint Martin’s of Lacey, Wash.
All four scoring members of the SFU team placed in the top six. Meera Minhas posted a nine-over 152 to end op third overall in the individual standings, while Shirin Anjarwalla was sixth at 154.
Saint Martin’s Ashley Bruland won the individual title with a three-over 145.
The 21-year-old Kozlowski, a College Heights Secondary School graduate, is her junior year at SFU, majoring in criminology. Earlier this month she was named to the GNAC All-Academic team for the second consecutive year.
She ended her round Tuesday with a memorable shot after putting her approach on the fringe 10 feet from the pin.
“It was really special to end with a chip-in for birdie,” said Kozlowski. “18 was a super tough Par 4 playing into the wind. I teed off last so my whole team was waiting for me at the green and we all got to celebrate together.
“I was happy with my overall finish, it was a grind out there for everyone. Everyone on our team placed in the top 8 and we were able to pull through with the win.”
This marks the fourth time the SFU women have won the GNAC championship, which qualifies them for the NCAA West Regional championships May 10-13 in Dallas, Texas.
The SFU men also won their GNAC tournament in Coeur d’Alene. The two teams celebrated their titles with a plunge off the dock into the chilly lake.
