Dalton State got off to a rocky start during the first round of the NAIA National Championship, posting a team total of (+41, 329) and sit in 19th place overall on the Champion Course at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
#1 SCAD-Savannah (Ga.) currently holds the lead at (+12). #5 William Woods (Mo.), (+21), is in second, with #14 Taylor (Ind.), (+23), in third. #17 Southeastern (Fla.), (+24), is in fourth, while #11 Northwestern Ohio, (+25), rounds out the Top-5.
All-Americans Caroline Griffin and Tia Teiniketo posted the best Lady Roadrunners on the front 9, making the turn at 1-over and 2-over respectively.
Each would encounter trouble on the back with Griffin posting over-par scores on four holes and Teiniketo recording bogey on six of the nine holes. Griffin would finish with a (+7, 79), while Teiniketo would post (+8, 80).
Fellow All-Americans Isabel Rijos and Katie Dalton had trouble around the Champion Course as well with each posting scores of (+13, 85). Rijos would uncharacteristically notch three triple-bogeys, along with a double-bogey and two bogeys. Dalton would mix in two birdies on the day, but 10 scores north of par would see her round get away from her.
The fifth Lady Roadrunner in the lineup, sophomore Hannah Gasaway would struggle as well, carding a (+15, 87). A rough start with a triple-bogey at No. 1 would not get any better on a round that saw nine other scores above the par line.
"It was just not the way we wanted to start this tournament, we didn't coach or play well," said Coach McGrew. "Luckily it is a four round tournament and we have a chance to redeem ourselves. We will regroup and bounce back tomorrow."
The #2 Lady Roadrunners will be back on the course tomorrow, May 22, when they tee it up in the second round of the NAIA National Championship at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Dalton State will tee off beginning at 12:48 p.m. (EDT) off No. 10. They will be paired with #12 Keiser (Fla.) and #7 Cumberlands (Ky.).