Feb. 5, 2012
The University of New Mexico women’s golf team is in fourth place after the first round of the Arizona Wildcat Invitational. UNM shot a 12-over 300 at the Golf Club at Vistoso (par 72, 6,250 yards) outside Tucson. This is the Lobos’ first competition of the spring season.
Live scoring is available at GolfStat.com.
Host Arizona leads the 14-team field at 3-under 285. Top-ranked UCLA is four shots behind (289) followed by Arizona State at 291.
“It’s a good start,” said head coach Jill Trujillo. “We had a few small things go wrong, but all in all not too bad after a three-month layoff.”
Sophomore Sammi Stevens is leading the Lobos at 2-over 74 (37-37). Her only blemishes were bogeys on 8 and 11, both par 4s.
Senior Rebecca Hellbom closed with a birdie on 18 to shoot 75 (37-38). Junior Beth Buchner also shot 75 (35-40). She birdied the first two holes and finished the front side at 1 under, but had four bogeys on the back.
Sophomore Sofia Hoglund had a 76 (38-38). She had a wild finish, making bogey, birdie, double bogey and birdie over the final four holes.
Sophomore Manon De Roey shot 79 (41-38).
Arizona’s Manon Gidali has the individual lead at 5-under 67.
Also at stake in the tournament are points in the Rio Grande Rivalry between UNM and New Mexico State. The winner will receive 1.5 points. UNM currently has a 10.5-7.5 lead in the 2011-12 standings. The Lobos lead the Aggies by 19 shots entering Monday’s second round.