By: By Brian Harper
VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Kennesaw State women’s golf team opened the first round of play at the Kinderlou Forest Challenge with an 18-hole score of 319, +27. The Kinderlou Forest Golf Club yielded high scores for all 14 teams as the first place Coastal Carolina Chanticleers carded a 303, +11.
The Chanticleers hold a one-stroke lead over Western Carolina and a two-stroke lead over third place Chattanooga after round one. The Chanticleers have three competitors in the top-10 of the individual standings and are led by Jessica Alexander who shot a 74, +1, and is in a tie for sixth place. Leading the individual standings is Ema de Groot of Chatanooga and Florida State's Hannah Thomson, who are tied for the individual lead. The two participants finished as two of only three golfers in the 74 player field to finish under par on day one.
The Black and Gold, who are in 14th place in the team standings, were led by sophomores Molly Winnett’s 77, +4 and Ket Preamchuen’s 78, +5 rounds. Freshman Hayley Clinning and sophomore Chelcia Petersen each finished at 82, +9, while senior Abby Fitzgerald posted an 83, +10.
“Although the course is playing tough, that is no excuse for our poor play,” head coach Rhyll Brinsmead said. “Thankfully we have two more rounds to move up the leader board and I am confident we won’t make the same mistakes.”
The Owls ran into most of their trouble on the back nine of the course as the team combined for 20, plus par holes.
The Black and Gold will begin round two on Monday with a 9:46 a.m. ET tee time. Live scoring can be viewed at Golfstat.com. For complete coverage of the second annual Kinderlou Forest Challenge, hosted by Kennesaw State University and all KSU women’s golf news visit www.ksuowls.com.
Finish Team Rd 1
1. Coastal Carolina 303
2. Western Carolina 304
3. Chattanooga 305
T4. Georgia 306
T4. Florida State 306
T4. Furman 306
T4. Augusta State 306
T8. Wisconsin 309
T8. East Carolina 309
T8. Georgia State 309
11. UCF 311
T12. Illinois 313
T12. Texas Tech 313
14. Kennesaw State 319
