Lopes Shine at Red Rocks Invitational: A Stellar First-Place Finish for Grand Canyon University Athletics!

Sedona, Arizona, is usually a golfer’s paradise, but the recent Red Rocks Invitational at Oakcreek Country Club faced unusual challenges. Frost and snow in the Sedona area led to delays, making it tough for players. Only 18 of the 54 scheduled holes were completed.

Despite the delays, Grand Canyon University (GCU) managed to secure first place out of 19 schools, finishing with an even par. They edged out Northern Arizona by just one stroke.

The weather trouble began on Friday, forcing GCU to stop after playing about 13 holes. They had to wait until Sunday afternoon to resume the first round. Saturday was completely washed out due to frost accumulation.

Two standout players for GCU were graduate student Calynne Rosholt and senior Anci Dy. Both finished at 1 under par, tying for sixth place and just two strokes behind the leader. Together, they made an impressive seven birdies, with only one bogey between them over their last ten holes.

Junior Lena Tremouille and sophomore Jess Haines also performed well, tying for 19th at 1 over par. Tremouille had a strong finish, playing her last nine holes at 1 under, while Haines stayed even over her last seven. Sophomore Brenna Preap finished tied for 31st at 2 over, and both senior Amelia Curtis and freshman Matilda Samervong posted scores of 1 over.

This victory marks GCU’s second in their last three tournaments and their fifth top-five finish this season. The team will compete next at the PING/ASU Invitational at Papago Golf Club in Tempe from March 28-30.

In recent years, unusual weather patterns have increased challenges for outdoor sports, including golf. For instance, a 2023 report from NOAA found that extreme weather conditions have risen by 25% over the last decade, impacting sports seasons across the country.

With GCU’s impressive performance and the rising unpredictability of weather, fans are keen to see how the team will adapt in their upcoming tournaments. Such resilience could be the key to their continued success in college golf.



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