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AUBURN, WAKE FOREST TIED FOR FIRST AT LADY PALADIN
FURMAN IN NINTH
GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- Top ranked Auburn and 22nd-ranked Wake Forest are tied for the lead in the 31st annual Lady Paladin Invitational after firing 299 in the tournament's first round Friday during blustery conditions at the Furman University Golf Course. In addition, Wake's Nuria Clau and LSU's Meredith Duncan are tied for the individual lead at 72, with Ohio State's Ashley Lowery in third at 73.
The Auburn Tigers were paced by defending Lady Paladin champion Celeste Troche, who carded a two-over 74. Troche's teammates Courtney Swaim, Diana Ramage, and Danielle Downey each fired 75, while Anne Hutto carded a 78.
In addition to Clau, Wake Forest counted a 74 by Maria Beautell, a 75 by Deborah Means, and a 78 by Caroline Stetler. The Deacons' Kathryn Brenny was the non-counter with an 80.
Strong swirling winds made the 5,984-yard Furman Golf Course play even longer on Friday, and the greens were littered with leaves and debris by the rounds' end. The wind is expected to abate somewhat Saturday and Sunday, but temperatures are going to plummet, with highs forecast in the 50s and lows expected in the 20s.
The host Lady Paladins were led in Friday's round by Cimmie Shahan's 75. Leigh Turner added a 76 and Sarah Johnston carded a 79, while Brandi Jackson shot 80 and Tara Schultz fired an 85. Furman is playing without senior All-American Jennifer Perri, who is sidelined with an injury.
The 31st-annual Lady Paladin Invitational features a field of 21 teams, 14 of which are ranked in the top 45 in collegiate golf. In addition, Celeste Troche of Auburn is the fourth-ranked collegiate golfer in the country, while Nicki Cutler of Vanderbilt is fifth, Mollie Frankhauser of Ohio State is 11th and Kristy McPherson of South Carolina is 12th. There are also 12 other individual golfers ranked in the top 40 who are participating in this weekend's tournament.
Tee times for round two of the Lady Paladin are scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Furman will go off the 10th tee beginning at 8:40 a.m., and will be paired with Auburn and the University of South Carolina.