Junior Raim, women golfers ‘finishing strong like a Rebel’

to win her first collegiate tournament.

Raim, who recorded an overall score of 4-under 209, was two strokes back heading into the tournament’s final four holes. The Palm Desert, California, native caught up to the pack with two birdies to turn in a 2-under 69.

“I had a feeling Mackenzie was ready to break out,” Bush-Herzer said. “I’ve been telling her she’s due for a win. She had no idea what was going on with the scores.

“She parred on the final hole and I told her she just won her first college tournament. She was so happy.”

The defending Mountain West champion Rebels have a standout starting lineup with Raim, Alexandra Kaui, Elizabeth Prior, Harley Dubsky and Alyssa Getty.

Kaui, who attended Green Valley High School, has competed in two U.S. Women’s Opens. Prior, who hails from England, holds the UNLV record for lowest score for a round when she shot

COURTESY NCAA PHOTOS Mackenzie Raim, shown competing in the 2016 Mountain West Women’s Golf Championship in Rancho Mirage, Calif., finished in a three-way tie atop the leaderboard last Tuesday at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., to...

COURTESY R. MARSH STARKS/ UNLV PHOTO SERVICES Amy Bush-Herzer, left, as seen in October 2015, is in the her seventh season as UNLV women’s golf coach.