May 18, 2004

FURMAN TIED FOR NINTH AFTER FIRST-ROUND 302

AUBURN, Alabama -- Furman’s 24th-ranked Lady Paladin golf team pooled three 75s and a 77 on Tuesday to fire a 14-over 302 in the first round of the NCAA National Championship at the Grand National Golf Club’s Lake Course. The Lady Paladins enter round two in ninth place, tied with ninth-ranked Arizona, eighth-ranked Georgia, 16th-ranked Texas, and 19th-ranked Michigan State, 14 strokes off the lead pace of 10th-ranked Oklahoma State, who carded a 288 on Tuesday.

Despite three double bogeys on the par four, 355-yard, water-laden second hole, Furman was in strong shape after nine holes, making the turn at five over as a team. Three holes later the Lady Paladins were at seven-over, but a lightning delay took the team out of their rhythm. Four bogeys on hole 13 and a bogey and double bogey on the treacherous par three 15 sent Furman to 12 over. A pair of bogeys on the final hole, a 384-yard, uphill, par four, pushed the Lady Paladins into the tie for ninth.

Senior Sarah Johnston and freshmen Monique Gesualdi and Theresa Paik each carded 75 on the day, while freshman Jenny Suh added a 77. Sophomore Connor Atkinson shot 79 with a one-stroke penalty on the par four fifth hole.

“No one on this team has even played in a national championship before,” said coach Mic Potter. “I think they handled the pressure, a difficult golf course, and the added awkwardness of a lightening delay very well. While I hoped we could hold on over the last six holes and come in around 296 or so, I think a 302 is a solid round, given the conditions.”

The Lady Paladin team combined for 10 birdies Tuesday at the 6,215-yard, par 72 Lake Course. “We made some good shots out there today,” said Potter. “Tomorrow, we just need to eliminate some of the mistakes and keep making birdies when we have the opportunity. This golf course will penalize anyone who doesn’t respect it and stay out of its many trouble spots.”

Furman will remain paired with Purdue and Ohio State for Wednesday’s second round. Pairings for rounds three and four will be based on standings. The Lady Paladins tee off number 10 beginning at 1:10 p.m. on Wednesday. Livestats for the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships are available at www.golfstat.com.

Furman Results
T9th Furman 302

Individuals
T46th Sarah Johnston 75
Theresa Paik 75
Monique Gesualdi 75
T68th Jenny Suh 77
T97th Connor Atkinson 79