Feb. 11, 2008

Northrop Grumman Regional First Round Results

The No. 14 Wake Forest women's golf team is in seventh place after shooting a 301 (+17) in the first round of the Northrop Grumman Regional in Palos Verdes, Calif.

"The course played really tough," Wake Forest head coach Dianne Dailey said. "A lot of the greens were really fast. There were a couple of very rough parts but our team played tough and I'm really excited for them."

The par 71, 5,912-yard Palos Verdes Golf Club proved difficult in the spring semester opener as none of the teams finished the day under par.

Second-ranked UCLA will take a ten-stroke lead into Tuesday's second round as it shot a 288 Monday to finish four under par. Southern Cal (4) and Florida (6) are tied in second place after recording 298s (+14) in first-round action.

The Deacs were led by freshman Natalie Sheary, who finished with a 1-over-par 72. Sheary, along with senior Laura Crawford, led Wake in scoring in the fall with an average of 73.8 strokes per 18 holes.

The Deacs climbed out of 13th place on the back nine thanks to strong play from Sheary and junior Jean Chua.

"I like where we are. We're in good shape," Dailey said. "We're three shots out of second. The girls didn't let the slow start get to them. Anything can happen in the next two rounds."

Sheary scored back-to-back birdies on holes 12 and 13 then birdied 15 and 17. She currently stands tied for seventh place, two strokes out of the individual lead.

Chua birdied 10, 16 and 18 and finished with a 5-over-par 76.

Senior Jordan Craig birdied 10 and 11 and finished with a 4-over-par 75. Crawford and freshman Allie Bodemann posted 78s on the day to finish at seven over par.

The Deacs played in what Dailey called "absolutely perfect" conditions.