WONDER OF WATTON: Rachael wins title and Freshman of Year honour

Rachael Watton, fourth left, holding the trophy and her happy Denver University team-mates   By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com  Edinburgh's Rachael Watton has had her highs and lows since she went to America last autumn. But this week, the Scot produced the very best performance of her freshman golfing year at Denver University. Recapturing the form that made her a Scotland cap and one of the top female prospects in the country, Rachael won the individual title at the Sun Belt Conference Women's Championship and helped Denver win the team title for the ninth year in a row. Mortonhall GC member Watton tied with Katie Mundy (Florida International University) from Hampshire on one-under-par 215 at the head of the field of 55 players at The Shoals Golf Club, Muscle Schoals. Alabama. Rachael won the play-off at the first extra hole where Katie sent her ball into a water hazard. Watton was later named the Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year. She was also named in the Conference's all-star team, a team that never plays a match but is an indication of whom the coaches think are the best players in the Conference. "I'm so happy for our team and so proud of how we competed this week," head coach Sammie Chergo said. "Everyone played with a lot of passion for the University of Denver and I really appreciate their effort." Denver finished 17 strokes ahead of second-placed Middle Tennessee in the team event, contested by 11 squads. Watton's rounds over a 6,264yd, par-72 course were 71-73-71. Mundy scored 69-72-74. The pair finished one shot ahead of third placed Megan Vaughn (Arkansas-Little Rock). Welsh international Anna Carling, a student at Arkansas State University made it into the top 20 withrounds of 75-80-74 for 229, the same total as Rachael Watton's Denver team-mate from Ireland, Sarah Faller who scored 75-81-73. They tied for 17th place. Rachel and Denver University now go forward to the NCAA Regional Championships from May 10 to 12.