Oct. 7, 2011
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The University of Notre Dame women’s golf team struggled on the opening day of the Tar Heel Invitational on Friday, sliding into a tie for 17th after firing an opening round 307 (+19) at the UNC Finley Golf Course. Alabama claimed the day one lead after posting a seven under par, 281.
In addition to Alabama’s sub-par round, LSU and Wake Forest sit in a tie for second with matching scores of 284 (-4), while Auburn rounds out the teams in red figures, holding down fourth place with a 287 (-1). Individually, three competitors find themselves tied for the day one lead as South Carolina’s Katie Burnett, LSU’s Madelene Sagstrom and Wake Forest’s Cheyenne Woods each carded an opening round 68 (-4).
Leading the charge for the Irish rotation on the opening day was Becca Huffer (Denver, Colo.), who carded a three over, 75. The Notre Dame senior posted two birdies on the day to go along with three bogeys, one double bogey and 12 pars. Currently, Huffer finds herself in a share of 52nd place in the 96-member field.
Kelli Oride (Lihue, Hawaii), playing as the team’s No. 1 golfer this weekend, tied for second amongst the Irish after putting together a round of 77 (+5). While the talented freshman was unable to record any birdies on the first day, she was able to play consistent golf in recording a team-best 13 pars to go along with five bogeys.
Matching Oride on the scorecard was Kristina Nhim (Cypress, Calif.) who posted her own 77 (+5). After playing a front nine that saw eight pars with a lone bogey on No. 8 for an opening 37 (+1), the Irish sophomore recorded one birdie along with two bogeys, a triple bogey and five pars to close in 40 (+4). Both Oride and Nhim are tied for 64th.
Ashley Armstrong (Flossmoor, Ill.) battled through the most up-and-down day among the Irish, recording the most birdies of anyone in the rotation (4), while also being hampered by the most double bogeys (4). In addition, the Irish freshman registered two bogeys and eight pars to finish at 78 (+6) and tied for 78th.
Senior Katie Allare (Phoenix, Ariz.) did not count toward the team total on the day, finishing in 95th with a score of 84 (+12).
Second round action gets underway Saturday with the Irish beginning play at 9:00 a.m. (ET) off of the 10th tee. Be sure to check back with und.com as the Irish look to climb up the leaderboard over the weekend.
Tar Heel Invitational - UNC Finley Golf Course - Par 72, 6,285 yards
Top-Five Teams (18 holes complete):1. Alabama 281 -7T2. LSU 284 -4T2. Wake Forest 284 -44. Auburn 287 -15. South Carolina 289 +1
Top-Three Individuals (18 holes complete):T1. Katie Burnett, South Carolina 68 -4T1. Madelene Sagstrom, LSU 68 -4T1. Cheyenne Woods, Wake Forest 68 -4
Notre Dame Results (18 holes complete):T17. NOTRE DAME 307 +19T52. Becca Huffer 75 +3T64. Kelli Oride 77 +5T64. Kristina Nhim 77 +5T78. Ashley Armstrong 78 +695. Katie Allare 84 +12
–ND–