Feb. 11, 1998

PALOS VERDES, Calif.--The Stanford women's golf carded an even-par 288, the lowest third round score, to finish in fourth place at the SMU/OSU Challenge played at the Palos Verdes Golf Course (par 71, 5801 yards) in Palos Verdes, Calif. Stanford finished the 54-hole tournament at 892. Last season, Stanford took first place at the Challenge with a 54-hole total 905.

Tulsa captured the team title with 875 while Arizona finished second at 880. Arizona State finished third at 885 while New Mexico rounded out the top five at 899. Tulsa's Flippa Helmersson captured the individual title at one-under par 212 followed by teammate Niina Laitinen and Arizona's Krissie Register at 215.

Stanford freshman Stephanie Keever tied for fourth place with a career-best 216 after shooting an even par 71 in the final round. Freshman Hilary Homeyer finished in seventh place after shooting a one-under par 70 in the final round. Sophomore Jae Jean Ro tied for 17th at 224 despite playing with flu symptoms. Freshman Jessica Belskis tied for 49th at 235 while sophomore Julie Dunn tied for 53rd at 236.

Stanford will return to Southern California later this month to play in the Pioneer Electronic Bruin Invitational on Feb. 23-25 at the Menefee Lakes Golf Club.

Stanford Scores:

4.      Stanford            305-299-288--892 (+40)
T4.     Stephanie Keever    74-71-71--216 (+3)
T7.     Hilary Homeyer      73-76-70--219 (+6)
T17.    Jae Jean Ro         79-74--71--224 (+11)
T49.    Jessica Belskis     79-80-76--235 (+22) 
T53.    Julie Dunn          80-78-78--236 (+23)

Top Scores:
1.  Tulsa           289-291-295--875 (+23)
    Arizona         289-298-293--880
3.  ASU             294-293-298--885
4.  Stanford        305-299-288--892
5   New Mexico      297-299-303--899

1.  Filippa Helmersson, Tulsa   71-71-70--212 (-1) 
2.  Niina Laitinen, Tulsa       71-69-75--215
    Krissie Register, Ariz.     68-71-76--215
4.  Stephanie Keever            74-71-71--216
    Marisa Baena, Ariz.         68-71-76--215