FRANKLIN, Tenn. ?- After finishing tied for 15th at the NCAA Fall Preview last week the Arizona women's golf team bounced back today landing in fourth at the Mason Rudolph Women’s Championship in Franklin, Tenn.
The Wildcats shot a 7-over-par 295 to trail tournament leader UCLA by 6 strokes after the Bruins shot a 1-over-par 289. Texas (291) and Georgia (292) are in second and third, respectively. Louisiana State rounds out the top-five after shooting an 8-over-par 296.
“I am very excited, this was our team’s best round of golf this year,” Head Coach Greg Allen said Friday. “I feel we are headed in the right direction. Our team even stayed late at the course to practice.”
Individually, junior Cassandra Kirkland led the Wildcats by tying for 1st after shooting a 2-under-par 70 in the first round. This was the native of Saint-Nom-La-Breteche, France best single round on the season.
“Cassandra [Kirkland] played really great today,” Allen said. “She told me earlier this week she was going to win the tournament and she’s started out on the right track.”
Senior Miriam Kraschinski shot a 74 (+2) in today’s first round. Junior Whitney Welch is tied for 30th at 3-over-par 75. Junior Lani Elston is tied at 42nd after she shot a 4-over-par 76. Senior Mar Garcia tied for 52nd with a 77 (+5).
The Wildcats will tee off tomorrow at 8:15 a.m. (EST) in round two. The tournament is being contested at Vanderbilt Legends Club, Par 72 over a 6,254-yard layout.
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Place School Score Place Name, School Scores
1. UCLA 289 (+1) T1. Alison Walshe, Tulane 70 (-2)
2. Texas 291 (+3) T1. CASSANDRA KIRKLAND, UA 70 (-2)
3. Georgia 292 (+4) T1. Perry Swenson, Texas 70 (-2)
4. ARIZONA 295 (+7) T4. Brittany Lang, Duke 71 (-1)
5. Louisiana St. 296 (+8) T4. Maria Ohlsson, Missouri 71 (-1)
T4. Hannah Jun, UCLA 71 (-1)
T4. Susie Mathews, UCLA 71 (-1)
T4. Molly Birmingham, NC St. 71 (-1)
Place Arizona Golfer Score T4. Charlotte Mayorkas, UCLA 71 (-1)
T1. Cassandra Kirkland 70 (-2) T4. Natalia Nicholls, Georgia 71 (-1)
T22. Miriam Kraschinski 74 (+2)
T30. Whitney Welch 75 (+3)
T42. Lani Elston 76 (+4)
T52. Mar Garcia 77 (+5)
Notes: ...Junior Cassandra Kirkland shot a season low round of 70 the first day of the Mason Rudolph Championship...Additionally Kirkland fired five birdies in round one...This was the best season round for the team (295)...No. 1 ranked Duke is tied for 10th with Tulane...Senior Mar Garcia is playing with a taped wrist because of tendonitis...