March 31, 2008

BRASELTON, GA - For the third time this season, junior Theunette Van der Walt fired a top 10 round by posting a 154 (78-76) to finish tied for 9th place after the first 36-holes of the first round of the Larry Nelson Collegiate Invitational. Van der Walt has a chance to move up in the field as she trails the top players by only four shots.

The Lady Colonels finished the opening round of 36 holes by shooting a 640 (321-319), which was good enough to put them in sixth place.

The Larry Nelson Collegiate Invitational is held at par 71, 6,000 yard Chateau Resort on the Chateau Course.

Other Nicholls golfers included sophomore Emiley Patton (T27 - 81-80=161), senior Daniele Dunlop (T33 - 81-81=162), senior Natalie Robinson (T38 - 81-82=163)and freshman Elyse Kinley (T41 - 82-83=165).

The University of South Alabama holds the overall team lead after shooting an opening round of 619 (309-310). Samford University sits in second with a 621, while Tennessee-Chattanooga is in third with a 625.

Angela Drane of Louisiana-Monroe and Alex Rankin of Wofford College are tied for the medalist honors after each fired an opening round of 8-over par 150.

The tournament will resume on Tuesday, April 1 with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. The tournament can be followed live on www.golfstat.com

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