In Orlando, Fla., University of New Mexico senior women’s golfer Sammi Stevens birdied two of her first four holes Sunday and is tied for ninth at 1-under 71 after the first round of the UCF Challenge.
The Lobos shot a 10-over 298 to share 12th place with Campbell in the 19-team tournament at the Eagle Creek Golf Club. They trail leader, 24th-ranked and host UCF by 16 strokes. The Knights, led by individual leader Fanny Cnops’ 5-under 67, has a five-stroke lead over Miami, Fla., which was the only other team to break par with a 1-under 287.
East Tennessee State is third at even-par 288, followed by GRU Augusta and South Florida, which are tied for fourth at 2-over 290.
“We haven’t played against any competition in three months, and we had to knock some rust off,” Lobo coach Jill Trujillo said. “Sammi played well. I expect we’ll improve (Monday).”
UNM freshman Manon Molle’ is tied for 49th in the 104-player field with a 3-over 75. Senior Manon de Roey and freshman Eva Saulnier are tied for 66th with a 4-over 76 and fellow freshman Katerina Jaeger is tied for 83 with a 6-over 78.
“The freshmen were steady,” Trujillo said.
Monday’s second round of the 54-hole event gets underway at 7 a.m. MT with a shotgun start. Live stats are available at Golfstat.com.