WATERLOO, Iowa - The University of Dubuque women's golf team won its fourth straight American Rivers Conference title and its seventh in the last eight seasons on Tuesday at Sunnyside Golf & Country Club.
The Spartans finished the A-R-C Championships with four all-conference performers and an honorable mention honor.
Sophia Thier was named A-R-C Rookie of the Year as the conference's top newcomer. Thier is the first women's golfer in program history to be named Rookie of the Year in the three-year history of the award. Head coach
Dustin Bierman earned his ninth A-R-C Coach of the Year award and the seventh with the women's team.
Drew Hoffer earned A-R-C runner-up after a three-day scorecard of 238 (+22).
Payton Morton shot her best round of the championships on Tuesday with a 77 and finished third place. Both Hoffer and Morton have finished inside the top three each of the last two conference championships. Thier finished in fourth place in her first conference championships with a three-day total of 240 (+24), tying with Morton.
Kaycee Newman finished in sixth place for the second straight year, earning all-conference honors with a 242 (+26).
Olivia Hines was named honorable mention today with her 11th-place finish.
Hear from Dustin Bierman
"These ladies battled over three days on a golf course that's very demanding and in some tough conditions as well. I thought our mental makeup and our attitude over the three days were huge, and they stuck to the game plan to get this done. We talked about controlling your body language and just being positive with yourself on this difficult of a course."
"To have all five players in the top eleven on the leaderboard is awesome. I can't say enough about our juniors Drew, Olivia, Payton, and Kaycee; they lead with great work ethic and energy every day.
Sophia Thier had a great tournament, and to get Rookie of the Year is great."
"First team meeting of the year, we talked about winning four conference championships in a row, and to get this done is a testament to these ladies. Also, our assistant coach
Morgan Hawkins has been a great addition to our staff and has had a big hand in this as well. On to Nationals in Virginia in May!"
UD Individual Leaderboard
2.
Drew Hoffer 81-78-79=238 (+22)
T-3.
Payton Morton 82-81-77=240 (+24)
T-3
Sophia Thier 81-80-79=240 (+24)
6.
Kaycee Newman 83-77-82=242 (+26)
T-11.
Olivia Hines 86-80-86=252 (+36)
Team Standings
1. Univ. of Dubuque 327-315-317=959 (+95)
2. Wartburg College 333-326-331=990 (
3. Buena Vista Univ. 336-342-339=1,017
4. Simpson College 336-342-339=1,018
5. Central College 348-354-334=1,036
6. Loras College 354-350-353=1,057
7. Coe College 353-368-349=1,070
8. Nebraska Wesleyan 382-368-370=1,120
Up Next
The Spartans will play their spring schedule before competing at the NCAA Division III Women's Golf Championships on May 11-14, 2027 at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va.
