After the first round of the two-day, 36-hole NAIA Fall Preview at Savannah Quarters Country Club, the Dalton State women’s golf team is just one stroke out of a three-way tie for third.
Northwood University (296) is the first round team leader and the Seahawk’s Elsa Westin is currently the individual leader with a six under par 66. The hosts from SCAD Savannah are eight strokes back at 304. Embry-Riddle (FL), Indiana Tech, and Wayland Baptist are currently tied for third at 314. The Lady Roadrunners have a 315.
“I’m proud of the girls for fighting their way through the round,” said Lady Roadrunners Coach Jim McGrew. “We didn’t get off to a great start, but we hung in there and worked our way up the leaderboard.”
Dalton State’s low scorer in the first round was Julia McQuilken. She is tied for ninth with a 75. Caroline Griffin shot a 76. Erika Wardzinski, who finished as medalist in last week’s tournament, shot a 78 on Monday. Taylor Marie Griner (86) and Rachel Rebne (96) rounded out the Roadrunner scoring. Five golfers from each team play and the low four count.
Sixteen of the NAIA’s best women’s teams and 85 golfers are competing in the prestigious event at the 6,010 yard course. Savannah Quarters will host the NAIA national championships next spring.
Dalton State has had an exceptional first ever fall of intercollegiate golf. “Our goal coming in was a top three and we are one shot out of third, “said McGrew. “We have a chance to play well and move into at least the top three. That would be a great finish to the fall.”
Bellevue University and Southeastern University are tied for seventh with a 322. William Penn University is ninth after a 323. Tenth place Marian University shot a 332. Lindsay Wilson (334) is one stroke ahead of SCAD Savannah’s B-Team. Coastal Georgia is 13th with a 337.
Grand View is 14th with a 344. Johnson & Wales (FL) (349) and Brenau University 357 round out the round one scoring