Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Austin Peay Intercollegiate
Women's Golf takes the lead at Austin Peay Invitational
10/24/2005 | 12:00:00 | Women's Golf
Oct. 24, 2005
By Lacole Hook
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Women's Golf team is in the lead after the first day of competition at the Austin Peay Invitational. The team shot a total of 316 to lead the 17-team tournament. The Salukis had to play through rough weather conditions all day in Clarksville, Tenn.
"It was a very tough day on the golf course," said Coach Diane Daugherty. "It is very cold and windy here which makes the golf course much more difficult.
"It was one of those days where you just didn't know what a good score was going to be, so we just hung in there tough ."
The Salukis have four players in the top 20. Leading the way for the Salukis were Josie Lowder and Christine Zoerlein, who each shot a 76 tying them for second place, along with Beth Underhill of Tennessee Tech. Samantha Sutzer and Braidy Hood are tied for 17th place with a score of 82.
"Our team didn't give up," said Daugherty. "They fought hard and that is why we are in the lead, because it could have gotten very frustrating."
The Clarksville Country Club (par 72, 5,990 yards) has the fastest greens the Salukis have played on this year, which in combination with the wet weather made for a difficult day on the golf course.
"The fast greens made a huge difference, and it made our putting game very frustrating," said Daugherty. "We spent some extra time at the end of the day just practicing our putting."
Daugherty was pleased the team was able to stay focused and mentally tough, and not let the weather get to them.
"We just hung in there and fought for every shot," Daugherty said. "So far, so good."
Southern maintains a five stroke lead over second place Butler University (321).
A round of 18-holes will conclude the tournament tomorrow.
