Golf to Host Annual Red Rocks Invitational this Weekend

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (March 15, 2024) - The Northern Arizona University golf team is preparing to host the annual Red Rocks Invitational from Saturday, March 16 to Sunday, March 17 at the Oak Creek Country Club in Sedona, Ariz.
 
The Lumberjacks' home tournament begins with two rounds with 36 holes on Saturday and concludes with the third round of 18 holes on Sunday. Both days begin at Oak Creek (par-72, 6,200 yards for rounds one and two, 6,065 yards for round three) with a shotgun start at 8:15 a.m. Mountain Standard time both days. Live scoring will be available on BirdieFire
 
This is the 18^th installment of the Red Rocks Invitational, which has been held annually since 2006 with the exception of 2020's canceled tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic. NAU has won its home tournament on four occasions, most recently in 2015.
 
The Lumberjacks welcome a field of 19 other teams. Last season, NAU finished tied for seventh with California Baptist after shooting an 895 (+31) through 54 holes. The Lumberjacks saved their best round for last, shooting a 293 (+5) after shooting a 298 in the first round and a 304 in the second.
 
Northern Arizona has won the individual title two years in a row, with Elle Kocourkova winning in 2022 and current sophomore Ellena Slater winning the event as a freshman last year. Slater shot a 69 in round one and a 73 in round two during the first day of competition. She earned five birdies in the final round, including a birdie on 18. She is the fourth Northern Arizona golfer to win the Lumberjacks' home tournament.
 
Slater will be back in the lineup again this year along with Lizzie Neale, Ellena Slater, Lorel Hayward, Amy Hodgkins and Ekaterina Malakhova. Frankie Dezis and Nina Lukyanenko will be competing as individuals.
 
This year's field includes Creighton, Cal State Fullerton, CSUN, Grand Canyon, Lipscomb, Illinois State, Missouri State, Navy, North Dakota State, Northern Illinois, Seattle U, Southern Utah, and Wichita State. NAU will also host six Big Sky Conference squads in Eastern Washington, Idaho, Montana, Montana State, Northern Colorado and Weber State.

Navy will be back to defend its team title from last year, winning the event after shooting an 880 (+16) as a team.
 
Northern Arizona is coming off an 11^th place finish at the GCU Invitational at the end of February. The Lumberjacks shot a 288 (E) on the final day of competition after shooting an 879 (+15). Neale was NAU's top finisher, placing tied for 22^nd after shooting a 216 (E) and turning in all three rounds at par.
 
Hodgkins, a freshman, currently leads Northern Arizona with a scoring average of 71.93 with 11 rounds at par or better this season, including three in the sixties. Neale owns a scoring average of 72.26 with nine rounds at par or better, while Slater has a scoring average of 73.58.
 
Following the home tournament, Northern Arizona returns to action at the Fresno State Classic in Fresno, Calif., from March 25-26.