Alabama
Fall Preview
Women's Golf Tied for Third at Mason Rudolph Fall Preview
9/23/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Sept. 23, 2011
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - The University of Alabama women's golf team overcame difficult conditions and a Vanderbilt Legends Club that was playing extremely long due to the wet conditions to finish the first round of the Mason Rudolph Fall Preview with an 8-over-par total of 296 on Friday.
The Crimson Tide is tied for third place with UCLA and host Vanderbilt at 8-over par on the par-72, 6,426-yard layout, just four shots off the lead of Southern California. Arizona State is in second place at 5-over 293.
"We got off to a much better start today," Alabama head coach Mic Potter. "The girls really did it as much with mental toughness and tenacity as they did anything, because it was a difficult day with cold and rainy conditions. They hung in there and used their short games until it cleared up a little bit, and then we made a few birdies coming in. We are right in contention, now we need to continue to do the same things and stay focused for the next two days."
Junior Jennifer Kirby continued her strong play with an even-par round of 72. She is tied for second place after 18 holes, one shot back of tournament leader Justine Lee of Arizona State, who carded a 1-under 71. Kirby made four birdies and four bogeys during her opening round.
Senior Brooke Pancake is two shots back of Kirby in a tie for 17th place after firing a 74. She made the turn at even par with two birdies and two bogeys, but slipped back after bogeys on the par-5 fourth hole and the par-4 sixth.
Sophomore Stephanie Meadow shot a 3-over 75, making two birdies over her final 10 holes to recover from a tough start. She enters Saturday's second round in a tie for 27th position. Hannah Collier joins Meadow in a tie for 27th after her opening-round 75. UA dropped junior transfer Courtney McKim's 79 on Friday.
Alabama is scheduled to tee off of No. 1 at the Vanderbilt Legends Club at 8:45 a.m. Saturday for the second round.
Also follow breaking news on the Crimson Tide on Facebook at Alabama-womens-golf and on Twitter at @AlabamaWGolf.
Players Mentioned
