Guzman, Waves claim Anuenue crown
Maui High graduate ties for 5th at Kaanapali; UCLA’s Campos takes wire-to-wire win
The Pepperdine women’s golf team — including Maui High School graduate Reese Guzman, who is holding the championship bowl — poses for photos after winning the Anuenue Spring Break Classic on Wednesday at the Royal Kaapanali Course. Ka‘anapali Golf Courses photos
Guzman shares a laugh with Maui High coach Brenda Rego on Wednesday.
Pepperdine’s Reese Guzman putts Wednesday.
The Pepperdine women’s golf team — including Maui High School graduate Reese Guzman, who is holding the championship bowl — poses for photos after winning the Anuenue Spring Break Classic on Wednesday at the Royal Kaapanali Course. Ka‘anapali Golf Courses photos
Guzman shares a laugh with Maui High coach Brenda Rego on Wednesday.
Pepperdine’s Reese Guzman putts Wednesday.
Trending
The Maui News
Reese Guzman's homecoming became a celebration for her entire team.
The Maui High School graduate tied for the best round of the day at the Royal Kaanapali Course to finished tied for fifth place in the Anuenue Spring Break Classic, leading the Pepperdine University women's golf team to the team title.
Guzman, a senior and captain for the 25th-ranked Waves, had three bogeys and six birdies -- the last coming on her final hole, the 502-yard No. 1 -- to wrap up a 3-under 69 that put her at 7-under 209 for the week, tied with teammate Lion Higo (71).
The t-5th finish matches Guzman's best-ever in her collegiate career; she placed fifth at the Bruin Wave Invitational during the 2020-21 season.
Among those at Kaanapali on Wednesday to watch and support Guzman was her former high school coach Brenda Rego and the current Sabers team.
They were witness to the Waves' third win this season.
"Ka'anapali is such a special place to come to and we are so happy and blessed to be here," Pepperdine coach Laurie Gibbs was quoted as saying in a Kaanapali Golf Courses news release. "I want to thank Ka'anapali Golf Courses for opening up their facility to a college golf event -- it is so special to play a course like this -- it is so amazing and beautiful here in Maui and we so appreciate it."
The Waves came into the final round tied with 41st-ranked Denver atop the team standings. Pepperdine shot 3-under 285 as a team in the final round for a total of 18-under 846, beating the Pioneers by seven shots. No. 30 UCLA finished another shot back in third.
"We had a lot of fun out there this week with UCLA and Denver, it was tight, but it was exciting and that is what college golf is all about," Gibbs said.
Regarding her team, "They are awesome, these young ladies have worked so hard -- it's all the time and effort and their belief in themselves and their games, and everything we have done to really elevate (their game)."
Host Hawaii finished last in the 14-team tournament at 49-over 913.
The Bruins' Zoe Campos completed a wire-to-wire victory, shooting a final-round 71 to complete the three-round tournament at 12-under 204, two shots ahead of Tulane's Carla Bernat (72). Denver's Alyson Bean (72) finished another shot back in third.
"I just really wanted to stay steady and have the same mindset I had the first two days," Campos said of her mentality ahead of the final round. "I wanted to stay calm throughout the whole day and that's what I did."
"The back nine, I struggled a bit to make some birdies, but I did make some par saves," she added. "When it came down to the last few holes, I just said, 'Ok, just give yourself a chance.' On that last hole finally, some relief came down on me."