PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers women's golf hosted a record number of golfers at its 11th Annual Unger-DeBlasio Cup on Friday, September 6 at the Rutgers University Golf Course.
The event featured 107 golfers, the largest field in 11 editions of the annual golf outing. In attendance and participating in the event were several of the program's alumnae as well as Rutgers Athletics and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Theresa Grentz.
For the second-straight year, the program presented
Leigha Devine with the Maura Waters Ballard Scoring Champion Award for her scoring average of 73.05. Devine,
Rikke Nordvik,
Cathi Graf,
Lucrezia Rossettin,
Krystal Li,
Emily James and
Lorena Rossettin were recognized as the WGCA All-American Scholars. Devine and Lucrezia were also honored as Big Ten Distinguished Scholars.
Marking 47 years of Rutgers women's golf, the Unger-DeBlasio Cup honors two of the program's former mentors Jan Unger and Art DeBlasio. Women's golf became an intercollegiate sport at Rutgers in 1977 and was led by Unger who spent 17 years as head coach.
The Don and Penn Pray Service Award was given to the family of Art DeBlasio, who passed away in August.
Directing the Scarlet Knights from 1978-1995, Unger laid the solid foundation that can be attributed to the program's current success. DeBlasio served as the assistant coach under Unger for many years, while holding the position of Head Golf Professional at the Rutgers Golf Course from 1966-2001. DeBlasio had membership with the PGA for more than half a century.
Letterwinners in Attendance
Letterwinner Graduation Year
Ballard, Maura 1988
Ewing, Nicole 2023
Fradkin, Liz 2012
Greenham, Ash 2019
Liwski, Gia 1999
Melia, Michelle 1996
Olsen, Danaka 2001
Paulsen, Christina 2016
Sivley-Henson, Jill 2002
Young, Donna 1979
All-Time Unger-DeBlasio Cup Champions
2024: Christina Paulsen, Ash Greenham, John Kababick, Greg Zohovetz
2023: Christina Paulsen, Ash Greenham, John Kababick, Greg Zohovetz
2022: Tim Cadigan, Nick Fierro, Sergio Lima, Pete Olsen
2021: Christina Paulsen, John Kababick, Brian Quilty, Greg Zohovetz
2020: Not contested
2019: Jan Unger, Kathleen Shank, Jackie Mullens, Lori Char
2018: Art DeBlasio, Kenny Fivek, Paul Schoeb, Mike DeBlasio
2017: Bob Torrone, Don Lomurro, Rich Stanzione, Jeff Cusimano
2016: Don Pray, Penny Pray, Andy Stotler, Mariclaire Stolter
2015: Bob Rosenwasser, Rich Poli, Rick Sinding
2014: Bob Bernabe, Bill Garbarini, Mike Malekoff, George Oram, Emily Mills
2013: Bob Bernabe, Bill Garbarini, Mike Malekoff, Chris Strivieri