KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
SUNRISE BEACH, Mo. – The Indiana State women's golf team is just five shots off the lead as they completed the opening round of the 2013 Missouri Valley Conference Women's Golf Championship with a 330 total and in fourth place.
Senior Christina Beyerl as she finished the opening round six over par with a 78 and is currently tied for third. Beyerl started today's round with the back nine and was two over at the turn but dropped four more shots to par on the front side.
“Our girls played solid and kept their heads in it even with the difficulty of the course,” Greg Towne, Indiana State women's golf coach said. “We are ahead of the defending champion Missouri State and perennial contender Illinois State.”
Wichita State leads after the first round with a 325 total with Southern Illinois in second at 326 and Bradley third at 328. Indiana State is fourth with a 330 total and Missouri State fifth at 332. Rounding out the field are Illinois State (333), Evansville (336), Creighton (341), Northern Iowa (349), and Drake (352).
Bradley's Danielle Lemek is the individual leader after the first round by carding a 76 with Illinois State's Katie Jean second with a 77. Beyerl, Bradley's Thea Hedemann, Southern Illinois' Mattie Lindner, Wichita State' Hannah Martin, and Northern Iowa's Alex Zenor are tied for third as each posted a 78. The Top 10 is rounded out with five tied for eighth with 79s including Evansville's Paige Crafton, Creighton's Celeste Gassman, Southern Illinois' Cassie Rushing, Missouri State's Ariel Tidwell, and Wichita State's Hollie Weatherburn.
“This course was overly ridiculous which I don't mind but it is not the way to run a championship,” Towne said. “The pins were on hills, tees were back, and it is extremely up and down. They are going to change some of the tees tomorrow and we should see some lower scores.”
Sophomore Amanda Smith is currently tied for 15th after the first round after posting an 83 while junior McCall Christopher is tied for 19th with an 84 in the opening round. Seniors Emily Dixon and Reece Feducia are tied for 21st as each carded an 85 in the opening round.
“Reece and McCall didn't play particularly well today but practice went well today and we can get them tomorrow,” Towne said.
The tournament is being played on the 6,060 yard, par 72 course at The Club at Porto Cima. Second round action will begin at 10:00 a.m. (ET) Monday with the final 18 hole round starting at 10:00 a.m. (ET) Tuesday. The Sycamores will be paired with Missouri State and Illinois State in the second round and will begin their round on the first hole.
