Samford Women's Golf Tied For Seventh After Day One Of USA Lady Jaguar :: Bulldog women look to their goal of top five for day two of tournament play

March 3, 2008

MOBILE, Ala. ---- The Samford women's golf team sits in a tie for seventh place with Kennesaw State after the first round of play Monday in the USA Lady Jaguar Invitational hosted by the University of South Alabama at the Azalea City Golf Course in Mobile, Ala. The Bulldogs shot a first round of 314 and trail only two strokes out of the top five, which is their goal for this tournament.

"Samford is ranked eighth in the field of teams in the tournament," Samford assistant golf coach Ian Thompson said. "We are definitely up against some tough competition but I think we are on the right track to get to our goal of finishing in the top five."

The Bulldogs, who come off a history-making win at the Ann Rhoads BSC Shootout just a week ago, are only two strokes behind in-state rival Jacksonville State. The Gamecocks are the defending conference champions and have been just that since 2006.

"It's great to see that we are so close to Jacksonville State," Thompson said. "We had a solid day, despite the windy conditions, and it gives you a look at the improvement of the team. They are really working hard and are enjoying the results of that hard work.

Maria Troche leads the Bulldogs after the first round. Troche shot 77 on the day to place her in a tie for 18th place. Katelyn Stanier is just 10 spots behind Troche in a tie for 28th place, shooting 78 in the first round. Heather Arnold (79) is tied at 32nd place, Courtney Warr (80) is tied at 39th place and Sara Hunt (83) rounds out the playing five tied at 63rd place. Kellie O'Connell, who is playing as an individual shot 91 on the day.

East Tennessee State, who is currently ranked 50th, leads the field shooting 301in the first round and is seven strokes ahead of the competition. Southern Mississippi (308) follows in second place with Lamar and Belmont (311) tied at third. Jacksonville State (312) sits at fifth place followed by McNeese State (313) at sixth, Samford and Kennesaw State (314) at seventh, and UAB (316) and Austin Peay (318) round out the top ten. Jackson State (320) is 11th, Louisiana-Monroe, Middle Tennessee and South Alabama (321) at 12th, Winthop (324) at 15th, Arkansas State (327) at 16th, Troy (328) at 17th, and Nicholls State (329) at 18th.

The final round of the USA Lady Jaguar Invitational resumes Tuesday with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start at the Azalea City Golf Course in Mobile, Ala.

T7 Samford University 314
T18 Maria Troche 77
T28 Katelyn Stanier 78
T32 Heather Arnold 79
T39 Courtney Warr 80
T63 Sara Hunt 83
T95 Kellie O'Connell 91 (individual)