Bears Take Early Lead at Pat Clouse Invite

RESULTS

Springfield, Ohio, October 8, 2011 — The Washington University in St. Louis women’s golf team fired an opening round 304 to take the lead after day one of The Pat Clouse Invitational held at the Windy Knoll Golf Club in Springfield, Ohio.

No. 3 ranked Washington University leads No. 25 and host Wittenberg University (309) by five strokes in the team standings. No. 2 DePauw (316), NAIA No. 22 Walsh University (324) and No. 9 Allegheny College (325) round out the top-five. DePauw's Kelly Gaughan (72) is in first place in the individual standings.

“This was a great team effort on a difficult course. The greens can be hard to read and are all fast, which is an especially dangerous combination,” said fourth-year head coach Sean Curtis. “We showed a lot of toughness today. We could of let a couple three putts beat us, but we didn’t.”

Junior Hannah Buck and freshman Olivia Lugar each fired a 73 on the opening day, and sit in a tie for second place in the individual standings. Buck entered the weekend ranked 15th in NCAA Division III with a 77.13 average, while Lugar is ranked No. 1 in her freshman season with a 74.13 average. Lugar has recorded nine sub-80 rounds to begin her collegiate career.

Freshman Taylor Fagan followed the lead set by Buck and Lugar, and sits just two strokes back after recording an opening round 75. Fagan, who shot the second lowest round of her career, is tied for fourth place in the individual standings.

“I thought Hannah, Olivia and Taylor showed what they’re capable of doing every time they step on the course,” Curtis added.

Sophomores Allyson Chee (83, 26th place) and Andrea Hibbert (86, 37th place) rounded out the starting lineup for Washington University, which ranks second in the NCAA Division III GolfStat rankings.

Freshman Elena Chintala (85, 13th place) and senior Sarah Miller (87, 40th place) competed as individuals for Washington U.

The final round of The Pat Clouse Invitational will conclude with 18 holes on Sunday.