Women’s Golf in Second Place After Opening Round at BSC Southern Classic
RESULTS
Birmingham, Ala., October 7, 2012 — The No. 2 ranked Washington University in St. Louis women’s golf team fired a season-low 300 on Sunday and sits in second place after the opening round of the Birmingham Southern College Southern Shootout at the Highland Park Golf Club in Birmingham, Ala.
In a field that featured seven ranked teams, NAIA No. 8 ranked Lee University shot an opening round 292 and holds an eight shot lead over Washington University. NAIA No. 16 ranked University of the Cumberlands (302), Division III No. 3 ranked Centre College (303) and 15-time defending NCAA Division III champion and No. 1 ranked Methodist University (304) rounded out the top five.
Emily Javadi of The University of the South shot a two-under 68 and holds a three-stroke lead of Katarina Hodge of Piedmont College and Courtney Shelton of Lee in the individual standings.
“The entire team played well today and we made good decisions and we took advantages of some breaks to post a solid day one score,” said fifth-year head coach Sean Curtis, the 2012 NGCA National Coach of the Year. “This is an old course that is tight and has some elevation changes as well. I thought we navigated the course pretty well, especially for not playing the back nine in our practice round.”
Washington University completed one of the most consistent rounds in school history on Sunday, with all five starters firing a 76 or lower. Junior Andrea Hibbert fired the low round for Washington U. with a 74 (40-34), and sits in a tie for 11th place out of 124 golfers. Hibbert’s round was the fourth lowest in her three-year career.
“I really ramped up my game on the back nine, and managed to help the team,” said Hibbert. “We played today against the No. 1 and No. 3 ranked teams, and I think our team thrives in competitive tournaments. Its nice to establish a presence that is starting to get us recognized.”
Senior Hannah Buck (38-37, 75) and sophomore Olivia Lugar (40-35, 75) are a stroke behind Hibbert in a tie for 16th place, while senior Melanie Walsh (38-38, 76) and freshman Connie Zhou (41-35, 76) sit two strokes back in a tie for 23rd place. The 76 for Walsh was the second lowest of her career, while Zhou shot the third lowest round of her career.
Freshman Erin Lawrence competed as an individual and is tied for 67th place after an opening round 81 (40-41).
The final round of the Birmingham Southern College Southern Shootout will conclude with 18 holes on Monday. The shotgun start is scheduled for 9 a.m.
Bear Notebook: The 300 is tied for the fourth lowest round in school history … Washington U. has finished first or second in two of three tournaments this fall, with two tournament championships … Walsh was tied for second in par 3 scoring (-1) and Zhou was tied for second in par 5 scoring (-1) … Hibbert was fourth with 12 pars in round one … As a team, Washington U. was tied for second in par 3 scoring (+4) and par 5 scoring (+3) and third in par 4 scoring (+19) … The Bears were also second in par with 51, one behind tournament leader Lee with 51.