KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Indiana State senior McCall Christopher birdied the 18th hole to move into a share of first place at the end of the first round in the 2013 Missouri Valley Conference Women's Golf Championship being played at Panther Creek Country Club.
Christopher shot a career low 69 in the opening round of the Championships to share the opening round lead with Bradley's Danielle Lemek. This is the first time in Championship history that two players recorded a round under 70 in the same round.
“We had a really good finish as a team,” Greg Towne, Indiana State golf coach, said. “WE played theee
Northern Iowa's Sarah Boss finished with a 70 and is currently third. Three players are tied for fourth with even par 72s including Indiana State freshman Marissa Uradomo. Wichita State's Meghan Schuetz and Drake's Arianna Gastelum also posted 72s in the opening round.
Sycamore junior Amanda Smith carded a three-over 75 and is tied for 14th while junior Gina Della Camera posted an 80 and junior Erinn Sutton 82. Della Camera is tied for 42nd with Sutton tied for 46th.
Indiana State is currently second in the team standings with a school record low round of 296. The Sycamores are just three shots back of tournament leader Bradley (293) as the opening round came to a close. The previous low 18-hole round was recorded at the CSU Cougar Classic in 2013.
Wichita State and Illinois State are in third with a 297 total with Southern Illinois fifth at 300, Evansville, Missouri State, and Drake are tied for sixth with a 305 total, Northern Iowa ninth at 307, and Loyola in last at 311.
COURSE INFORMATION -- Panther Creek was professionally designed by PGA Hall of Fame golfer, Hale Irwin and opened for play in 1992. All 7,244 yards excite and challenge golfers of all skill levels. Panther Creek has 5 sets of tees that provide a complete test for the game's most skilled golfers while also featuring forgiving fairways and large putting surfaces which level the playing field for even the beginning golfer. From 2007 – 2011 Panther Creek Country Club was home to the LPGA's State Farm Classic producing wins for the some of the tours most prestigious players such as, Sherri Steinhauer, Ji Young Oh, In-Kyung Kim, Yani Tseng, and Christie Kerr. Panther Creek Country Club was host to many State Amateur Qualifiers, the 2008 Women's State Amateur, and the Great Lakes Valley Men's Championship. It is the future site of the 2015 Illinois State Amateur.
