Somboonsup wins Jim West Challenge, Bobcats finish fourth

Senior Sasikarn Somboonsup shows off her first-place trophy. Somboonsup took won the Jim West Challenge on Monday with a three-round score of 10-under 206. Photo courtesy of Texas State Athletics

Sasikarn Somboonsup remembered how she played at last year’s Jim West Challenge.

A junior at the time, the Si Racha, Chonburi, Thailand native went over par in two of her three rounds, finishing with a score of 7-over 223. The mark placed her third on Texas State’s team as the Bobcats finished sixth at the event.

For her senior season, Somboonsup wanted to do better. The Jim West Challenge, played at Kissing Tree Golf Club in San Marcos, is her favorite tournament the maroon and gold play in every year.

Somboonsup went under par in all three rounds Sunday and Monday, finishing at 10-under 206. The score won the senior first place among individuals and helped Texas State tie with Texas A&M for fourth place.

“I think last year, I didn't have enough confidence and my game went a little bit down,” Somboonsup said. “But for this tournament, like (head coach Par Nilsson) helped me a lot with my routine and everything. So I got so much better, I got confidence again and I just trusted my game and my potential.”

The Bobcats received strong performances from junior Geraldine Wong (3-under 213) and senior Sean Yi Yip (even 216). Nilsson was especially impressed by Wong’s outing.

“Geraldine, she's been fighting an injury since the (Schooner Fall Classic in Norman, Oklahoma on Sept. 28-3),” Nilsson said. “What she did for the team the last several tournaments has been amazing. She's pretty tough. She's been playing through the pain and she was not feeling very well (Monday) morning. But it was really cool how she just pushed through.”

Nilsson, in his first year as head coach, said his first few months on the job have been “a little chaotic” but that he’s enjoyed himself so far. He’s excited to see how the team will continue to grow through the rest of the season.

“There's some talent on the team, for sure,” Nilsson said. “We have continued to get better each tournament. I think the whole team is gradually improving throughout the year as we practice more, as we play more tournament golf. The more good conversations and good coaching opportunities we can have, the more experience and skill that builds.”

Ole Miss took first place with a 28-under 864 team score. Texas State’s 54-hole of 14-under 850 ties the program record set March 22-24, 2019 at the Mountain View Collegiate in Tucson, Arizona.

The individual title is the fifth of Somboonsup’s career. The senior hopes to claim a few more before the season is over.

“I would love to win more tournaments and make history for Texas State University,” Somboonsup said.

The Bobcats return to action on Feb. 10, 2020 during the Texas State Invitational at Plum Creek Golf Club in Kyle.