MOSCOW, Idaho – University of Idaho's women's golfer, Valeria Patino, has been named the Big Sky Conference Women's Golfer of the week after taking home an 11^th place finish at the Gold Rush earlier this week.
 
"Val has been playing great in our first two events," said head coach Lisa Ferrero. "She works hard at practice and couldn't wait to get back to tournament play. She has had a lot of success in her time at Idaho and I can't wait to see it continue this spring."
 
Patino, a senior from Coronado Panama, carded a three-round score of 9-over, 225 in Seal Beach. With her second top-15 finish of the Spring season, Patino lead the Vandals to finish in a tie for 8^th place.
 
Patino carded the best round for the Vandals in her opening 18-holes at the Gold Rush, recording an even score. She opened the round firing in a birdie on her third whole of play. She kept her momentum going through the round and tallied one more birdie on the back nine. Patino tallied 3 more birdie during her next two rounds and finished with a three-round score of 9-over, 225.
 
Patino and the Vandals have a quick turnaround as they prepare for the GCU Invitational next week, starting on Monday, March 1.