Showcasing the same straight drives, consistent iron play and deft putting that made Dolores High School’s most successful prep golfer ever, Weber State sophomore Kiselya Plewe won the New Mexico State Aggie Invitational in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Oct. 9-11.
Plewe’s victory marked the first of her college career and came courtesy of three consecutive 1-under-par rounds of 71 that allowed her to ultimately win the 10-team tournament by three strokes. The sophomore’s victory marked the first for a Weber State golfer since 2013.
“It feels great to win,” said Plewe, during an interview with a representative of the Weber State University Athletics’ website. “I feel like (getting a win) is a rare thing in college golf, and I’m thrilled to have (a victory).”
“I played really solid all week and I putted especially well.”
Among the keys to Plewe’s victory was a first round at New Mexico State Golf Course that ended with the sophomore sitting in second place. Impressive putting in the second round moved Plewe into a tie for first place with University of Texas El Paso’s Lily Downs, and a consistent third round allowed Plewe to lock up the victory.
The win was especially impressive in light of the fact that Plewe underwent shoulder surgery just nine months ago and hadn’t hit a full golf shot until the middle of June. The sophomore has quickly found her game, however, and tied for 21st at the Hobble Creek Fall Classic, and for 26th at the Rose City Collegiate, before winning the Aggie Invitational this week.
“I couldn’t be more proud of Kiselya,” Weber State head coach Sara Federico said in an article posted on the school’s athletic website. “It was so fun to watch her compete this week in a tough field. She has worked so hard in therapy and on her game and I’m so happy to see the hard work paying off.”
On the day that Plewe captured top honors at the Aggie Invitational, the former Dolores High School standout was named “Women’s Golfer of the Week” by the Big Sky Conference, which is made up of eleven total colleges.
“I grew up playing junior golf in New Mexico and it was really cool to go back and get my first win there,” said Plewe, who learned of the player of the week recognition after her final round. “My family was able to come watch me the first two rounds, which was really neat.
With the Aggie Invitational now behind her and a college victory under her belt, Plewe will turn her attention to towards the Pat Lesser Harbottle Invitational, which will take place at the Tacoma Golf and Country Club in Tacoma, Washington, Oct. 16-17.