Buffaloes Charge to Victory at Causeway Invitational
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Colorado Buffaloes showcased their golfing prowess, leading from start to finish to claim the 2026 Causeway Invitational title at the Del Paso Country Club. Ranked No. 47, the Buffaloes lived up to their billing as tournament favorites, finishing with a 54-hole score of even-par, 864. They edged out local contenders UC Davis and Sacramento State, who finished at 4-over and 5-over, respectively.
Colorado's consistent performance, with under-par rounds in the first two days, set the stage for a final round where they shot 3-over. This victory marks their second tournament win of the season and the first time they've achieved multiple wins in a season since 2011-12.
"Winning in golf is always hard, no matter if you're the favorite or not, so I'm really proud of our team for getting it done this week," said Colorado head coach Madeleine Sheils. The team faced challenges throughout the day, but their resilience paid off with a well-deserved victory.
Freshman sensation Teemapat Pateetin and sophomore standout Ellen O'Shaughnessy were pivotal to the Buffaloes' success. Both tied for second place at 3-under for the tournament. Pateetin delivered Colorado's best round of the day with a 1-under, 71, while O'Shaughnessy was right behind with an even-par 72.
"I'm really happy about the team win and I'm proud of everyone for putting in the hard work," Pateetin shared. "My driver and wedges were really good out there this week, so I had many birdie opportunities. Staying patient and positive was most important to me."
San Francisco's Eva Pett claimed medalist honors with an impressive 7-under, finishing four shots ahead.
The final day began with Colorado holding a three-stroke lead over UC Davis and seven over Sacramento State. The competition was fierce, as the Buffaloes had to fend off strong pushes from both teams. Sacramento State posted the best round of the day at 1-over, momentarily challenging Colorado for the lead.
However, the Buffaloes found their rhythm on the back nine, thanks to the stellar play of O'Shaughnessy and Pateetin. They combined for a bogey-free 3-under over the final eight holes, securing the victory with clutch performances.
Coach Sheils praised their composure: "Teem and Ellen were just awesome today. Their confidence and patience were key. They didn't let missed opportunities shake them, and they played with incredible poise."
Among other notable performances, Carolyn Fuller finished tied for 12th at 3-over, marking her fourth top-15 finish this season. Maya McVey narrowly missed a top-20 finish, tying for 22nd at 7-over, while Vanessa Ngo ended tied for 39th at 11-over.
The Buffaloes will next compete at the GameAbove Invitational in Palos Verdes, Calif., in two weeks. This win adds to their storied history, marking their 13th all-time team victory and improving their season record to 64-35-4. Colorado's dominance on the par 5s, where they played 14-under, was a key factor in their triumph.
As the team looks ahead, this victory serves as a strong foundation for the rest of the season, with Pateetin and O'Shaughnessy leading the charge. The Buffaloes are not just winning; they're setting the stage for an exciting year in college golf.