University of Tennessee Athletics
VIOLETA RETAMOZA GARNERS SEC FRESHMAN GOLFER OF THE YEAR ACCOLADE
April 18, 2003 | Women's Golf
April 18, 2003
LEXINGTON, Ky.
After becoming the initial Lady Vol linkster to capture two tournament medals in a single season, Violeta Retamoza (Aguascalientes, Mexico) earned the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year award at the SEC Golf Championships Awards Banquet Friday evening in Lexington, Ky. Also announced at the banquet, South Carolina's Kristy McPherson was tabbed as the SEC Player of the Year and Vanderbilt's Martha Freitag was cited as the league's Coach of the Year.
"I am proud of her." Head Coach Judi Pavon said. "She deserves the award because she was outstanding this season. She was even in the race for the Player of the Year honor. Overall, I am excited for her."
Retamoza closed out the 2002-03 regular season as the squad's shot leader with a 74.00 average in eight tournaments played. The rookie also placed in the Top 10 in five tourneys throughout the season and is the only orange-clad golfer with an under-par round average of 71.20 third-round average over five rounds of play. Retamoza matched Mary Jan Fernandez's (Henderson, Nev.) program-low third-round 67 at the 2002 Auburn Tiger Derby.
"I am happy about the award." Retamoza said. "I am excited to about it and it is an honor to receive it. I just played my best and did what I was supposed to do this year."
The rookie phenom was named the SEC Player of the Week for the period ending Feb. 28 by claiming fifth-place at the 2003 Arizona Wildcat Invitational with a five-over 218 (78-72-68). Retamoza proved that she could make up ground quickly as she opened up the Arizona Wildcat in 42nd-place after the first round. The freshman then assaulted the leaderboard on the final two days to capture her third top-five placing of the season. Retamoza concluded her surge with a third-round three-under 68, which was the third-lowest third-round in program history. The final day tally was Retamoza's fourth under-par round of the season, which moved her into a ninth-place tie for most under-par rounds in a year at UT.
Earlier, Retamoza tied Katharina Larsson for the most tourney medals by a single UT golfer after defeating Auburn's Celeste Troche in a playoff at the Auburn Tiger Derby. She also blew away the rest of the competition over the last two days with a pair of under-par rounds (70, 67) to come-from-behind after tying for 21st following the first round for a three-day 211 total (74-70-67).
