By: by Mark Toma
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Kennesaw State Scores
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – Jordan Lazenby plays big in big events and this year’s 2010 Atlantic Sun Conference Women’s Golf Championship is no different as the Kennesaw State senior shot an even par 72 in the first round of the championship on Monday at the Venetian Bay Golf Club.
Lazenby, who finished eighth in last year’s championship, sits in a five-way tie for second place, three strokes off the lead at the end of the first day of the three-day championship.
"Jordan has a tendency to really come through when it counts and her 72 today was exactly the start we needed from her,” said Kennesaw State head coach Rhyll Brinsmead. “She found a way to make pars today even when the odds were against her. I couldn't be more proud of her effort today."
Lazenby, started off strong with a birdie on the par 5 first hole. She would also birdie the par 4 seventh hole to counter bogeys on the fourth and eighth holes. The Cassellberry, Fla. native would make par on the final 10 holes to enter the clubhouse with her lowest score of the year.
The Owls stand in third place after the first round after firing an 11-over par 299, trailing only Florida Gulf Coast by five strokes and second place East Tennessee State by four strokes. The Black and Gold lead No. 49-ranked Campbell by two strokes as they put up their second-lowest round of the spring season.
"Our goal was to get off to a good start today, as we tend to struggle in the first round of tournaments,” added Brinsmead. “I'm really proud of the position the team has put themselves in heading into day two.”
Ket Preamchuen also started off strong as she also birdied the first hole. After a bogey on the third hole she birdied the eighth hole to enter the turn at 1-under par. She stayed at 1-under though the 14th hole, before a bogey at 15 dropped her to even par. She would bogey the 18th hole to finish the round in a tie for 7th place at 1-over par 73.
Preamchuen had her best opening round of the season. The freshman had her third straight round of par or better and has fired eight consecutive rounds in the seventies.
“Again Ket put in a really solid round for the team,” boasted Brinsmead. “Its exciting to see her get off to such a great start. The wind bothered her a little today, but after some adjustment to the conditions I'm confident she can go even lower tomorrow."
Molly Winnett shot a 3-over par 75 in the first round and if not for a triple bogey on the fifth hole, would have finished in a tie for second place. Winnett made a team-best three birdies in the first round while also making a trio of bogeys to finish the first day of competition in a tie for 12th place. Winnett was the only player in the field to record a birdie on the par 3 third hole.
Patricia Arana and Abby Fitzgerald each finished the first round with scores of 7-over par 79 and are in a tie for 28th place.
The second round of the 2010 Atlantic Sun Conference Women’s Golf Championship begins at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday with Fitzgerald starting things off for the Owls. Arana tees off at 10:08 followed in eight minute intervals by Winnett, Preamchuen and Lazenby.
