Columbia Women's Golf Wins First Ivy Title in 19 Years

After nearly two decades of waiting, Columbia University's women's golf team is celebrating a championship that reminds us patience and persistence really do pay off.

The Lions captured their first Ivy League title since 2007 on Sunday at New Jersey's prestigious Baltusrol Golf Club. They entered the final round trailing Harvard by two strokes but delivered their best performance when it mattered most, winning by seven shots with a remarkable team score.

Sophomore Christine Chang became the tournament's standout star, firing a 3-under-par 69 that was the lowest round posted by any golfer all weekend. Her five birdies propelled her up 12 spots on the leaderboard to finish tied for fourth place. The round tied her personal best for the season and earned her a spot on the All-Championship Team.

Fellow sophomore Sarah Shao joined Chang on the All-Championship Team after finishing third overall. Together, the young duo showed that Columbia's future looks as bright as its championship-winning present.

The team effort went beyond just two players. Four of Columbia's six golfers landed in the top 10, with five finishing in the top 12. First-year players Kristina Xu, Camille Thai, Bridget Chantharath, and Emily Zeng all contributed crucial scores that made the difference.

Head coach Amy Weeks, now in her 12th year with the program, kept her team focused with a simple message before their final round. "This is just another day of your hard work," she told them. That calm approach helped the Lions shoot a tournament-best 2-over-par 290 on championship Sunday.

The victory came despite challenging conditions. Heavy rain soaked the course on Saturday, but the grounds crew at Baltusrol had everything perfect for Sunday's decisive round. Cool 50-degree temperatures gradually warmed as the round progressed, and clearing skies set the stage for a beautiful finish.

Why This Inspires

This championship represents more than just a trophy for Columbia. It's proof that building a program the right way, with young talent and patient coaching, creates lasting success. Five of the six contributing golfers are first-year students, meaning this team is just getting started.

Coach Weeks' joy wasn't just about winning but about the daily experience of working with athletes she describes as "a happy bunch" and "really fun kids." That culture of positivity clearly showed up when pressure mounted on the final day.

The Lions now advance to the NCAA Women's Golf Regional Championships in May, competing at one of six sites across the country. For a program that waited 19 years between championships, the next challenge is just another opportunity to prove their breakthrough was no fluke.