University of Tampa women’s golfer Kiira Riihijarvi earned her first the Sunshine State Conference Women’s Golfer of the Week honor of the year.

The junior shot rounds of 63 and 67 to lead the Spartans in both rounds of the 2018 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Fall Preview hosted by Colorado Mesa University. Her opening round of 63 was a school record and an unofficial course record for the Tiara Rado Golf Course. Riihijarvi was crowned the tournament champion by 16 strokes, and her standout performance helped lift Tampa to a team title in their season opener.

This weekly award is the second of her career. The Finnish international earned his first career weekly honor last October after winning the individual championship at the Saint Leo Invitational. Riihijarvi took the top spot after defeating Nova Southeastern University’s Michelle Ruiz in a two-hole playoff. With that win, Riihijarvi became the first golfer in Tampa women’s golf history to win an individual championship in a regular-season tournament. 

Riihijarvi was also the first Spartan to earn SSC Women’s Golfer of the Week.  

Athletes of the Week were chosen from a pool of nominees for their performances during the week of September 17 – 23, 2018. Athletes are nominated by Sports Information Directors of member institutions.

2018 SSC Golf Award Winners (Men; Women)
Sept. 17: None; Megan Dennis, Florida Tech
Sept. 24: None; Kiira Riihijarvi, Tampa