Women’s Golf Sits in Ninth Place After Day One at 2011 NCAA Division III Championship
RESULTS | PHOTO
Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla., May 10, 2011 – The Washington University in St. Louis women's golf team fired an 18-hole score of 344 (+52) on Tuesday to sit in ninth place after day one of the 2011 NCAA Division III Championship held at the Mission Inn Golf and Tennis Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.
Methodist University, who is seeking its 14th-straight and 24th overall NCAA Division III Women's Golf Championship, shot a 318 (+26) on day one to take the overall team lead. Paige Caldwell (Methodist), Andrea Daly (Methodist), Rikka Holiday (Gustavus Adolphus) and Becky Miller (Williams) shot a four-over 77 to tie for the individual lead.
“We played well today as a team,” said third-year head coach Sean Curtis. “Hannah and Andi both played exceptionally well in the opening round. Hannah played steady all day and made shots when she needed to, while Andi played well the entire day, and made some great shots.”
Sophomore Hannah Buck shot a six-over par 79 to finish tied for sixth place after day one. Buck, who entered the tournament ranked eighth in Division III with a 79.12 average, is just two strokes off the overall lead. She was one-over after eight holes of play, but a double bogey on the ninth hole capped a front nine score of 39. Buck shot a 40 on the back nine with three bogeys to finish the day with a 79.
“There was some nerves we had to get over with, but looking forward to next three days,” said Buck. “I played consistent the entire day, and that is they way I enjoy playing.”
Freshman Andrea Hibbert had a solid opening round in her first NCAA Championship appearances, finishing in a tie for 14th place with an eight-over 81. Hibbert birdied No. 2 and No. 7, and made the turn at four-over 40, and had four bogeys on the back nine for a 41.
“It was a very up and down round today. I felt confident going in but I just wanted to perform well for the team,” said Hibbert. “I definitely thrive on adrenaline before a round, and I think that helped me more than anything. Going into tomorrow, we need to have better course management as you can shoot some pretty high scores if you don’t pay attention.”
Freshman Marcy Koonce and Allyson Chee each put together nice rounds after starting off slow. Koonce tied for 57th place with an 89 (+16), while Chee tied is tied for 84th place with an opening round 95 (+22).
After starting the day with a double bogie on the opening hole and a quadruple bogie on number three, Koonce settled down and was 10-over par for the final 14 holes. She fired a 46 on the first nine and a 43 on the back nine. Chee shot a 10-over 46 on the front nine, but struggled down the stretch with quadruple bogeys on No. 16 and No. 18 to finish with a 49 on the back nine.
“There was definitely some nervousness on the opening day,” added Curtis. “Marcy and I talked after the third hole, and I just told her to out and play her game and she did.”
Sophomore Melanie Walsh struggled from start to finish on the opening day of the championship, shooting a 107 (+34). Walsh entered the day ranked third on the team and 113th in NCAA Division III with an 84.88 average.
Washington University, in its third season as a varsity sport and ranked No. 5 in the final Golf World/NGCA women's coaches' poll, continues play on Wednesday with 18 holes beginning at 8:50 a.m. (ET).
Bears Notebook: The 344 (+52) shot by the Bears on Tuesday was a career-low in five rounds in the NCAA Tournament … The previous low was 352 (+60) on day one of the 2010 Championship … Walsh was named the Elite 88 award winner on Monday at the NCAA Championship Banquet, recognizing the student-athlete with the highest GPA.