PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers University Women's Golf, under the leadership of head coach Kari Williams, hosted the fifth annual Unger-DeBlasio Cup at the Rutgers University Golf Course this past Friday (Sept. 29) in celebration of 40 years of women's golf "On the Banks." More than 60 golfers competed in the Cup, which included an alumnae tailgate and field recognition during Saturday's football game.

"We had 15 alumnae return to campus this weekend to help us celebrate 40 years of Rutgers women's golf," said Williams. "It was great to have our current student-athletes interact with and learn from the players that came before them and built this program into what it is today. A special part of our Unger-DeBlasio Cup was honoring several of the program's previous scoring champions with the Maura Waters Ballard Award at the luncheon."

Alumnae in attendance included Gia Liwski Bocra ('99), Cheri Rice Cottelli ('97), Jill Sivley Henson ('02), Joanne Givas McCarty ('80), Michelle Melia ('96), Sam Moyal ('16), Jackie Mullens ('16), Amanda Shriver O'Brien ('02), Danaka Piltingsrud Olsen ('02), Christina Paulsen ('16), Sheila Collins Stanford ('85), Maura Waters Ballard ('88), Jeanne Waters ('11), Donna Young ('79) and Racquel Zurick ('16).

Maura Waters Ballard Scoring Champions were also honored at the Unger-DeBlasio, with all champions recognized on a perpetual trophy. 

• Donna Young: 1978, 1979
• Maura Ballard: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987
• Cheri Rice: 1995, 1996, 1997
• Danaka Piltingsrud: 2001
• Amanda Shriver: 2002
• Jeanne Waters: 2008, 2011
• Emily Mills: 2015, 2016, 2017

 The 2017 Unger-DeBlasio Cup champion foursome was comprised of Bob Torrone, Don Lomurro, Rich Stanzione and Jeff Cusimano.

"I want to thank Pat (Hobbs), Sarah (Baumgartner) and our support staff for attending Friday's luncheon and spending time with our alumnae," Williams said. "We look forward to bringing even more alumnae back to 'The Banks' in years to come!"

In 1977, women's golf became an intercollegiate sport at Rutgers University led by 17-year Head Coach Jan Unger. Serving as head coach of the Scarlet Knights from 1978-1995, Unger laid the solid foundation that can be attributed to the program's current success.

Art DeBlasio served as the assistant coach of the Scarlet Knights under Unger for many years, while holding the position of Head Golf Professional at the Rutgers Golf Course from 1966-2001. DeBlasio celebrates more than a half century membership with the PGA.

Coming off a fifth place finish with a 894 (298-301-295) total at the 14-team Nittany Lion Invitational, the 2017-18 Scarlet Knights return to the links at the Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational, hosted by the University of Washington, Oct. 10-11 in Seattle.

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