March 17, 2008

KANE`OHE, O`ahu -

Complete Results in PDF Format

The Wyoming Cowgirl golf team ventured across the Pacific Ocean on Monday to play the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational in Kane'ohe, O'ahu, Hawaii. UW shot 314 (+26) in the first of three scheduled rounds.

Wyoming is in sole possession of 11th place out of 16 teams, yet only eight strokes back of sixth place Columbia.

The event, hosted by the University of Hawaii, is being played at the Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course (5,907 yards, par 72) and features top-ten schools Arizona (#7), Arizona State (#4) and Oklahoma State (#9).

The Arizona Wildcats shot 286 (-2) in the first round to open up a five-shot lead over Oklahoma State, who is in second at 291. Arizona State (301), Hawaii and UTEP (303) round out the top-five.

"Our score today can definitely be improved upon," said Cowgirl head coach Josey Stender. "Each player on our team felt as though they left shots out on the course and that they were capable of shooting better. They feel that 314 is a decent start, but know that under 310 is achievable.

"This is a scorable event, but we are understandably adjusting to playing a different type of course with different types of conditions. It's windy here, since the course is right on the ocean, but it is not steady wind like we are used to most everywhere else. This is a swirling wind that takes some getting used to."

Cowgirl senior Lindsay Bauknecht was able to make some adjustments to her game and turn in a team-best score of 77 (+5). That mark has her tied for 29th in the field of 91 golfers. She was followed by sophomore Sarah Fogerty at 78, junior Mikala Henzlik with 79, senior Laura Mengelkamp at 80 and sophomore Jonelle Martinez with an 81.

UA's Alison Walshe shot 66 (-6) for the initial individual lead. She's followed by teammate Amanda Wilson, who shot 71. Three players, Osaka's Nanae Shinzato, Arizona's Mary Jacobs and OSU's Tammy Gelland, are tied for third with even-par rounds of 72.

The 54-hole tournament continues Tuesday with Round Two, beginning at 7:30 a.m. (shotgun start), before concluding with a final round of 18 holes on Wednesday.