Jekyll Island, GA. – The defending Southern States Athletic Conference Dalton State women’s golf team leads after the first day of the Coastal Georgia Invitational at the Jekyll Island Club’s Pine Lakes Course.
The Roadrunners have a first day total of 305 (+17). Faulkner University from the SSAC is six strokes back at 311. Defending NAIA national champions Keiser University is in third at 312.
“It was a good start,” said Dalton State Jim McGrew.
“We did not play our best but that is to be expected this early in the year. I thought that we battled well and I was proud of the depth that we showed.”
The Roadrunners had four of their five players with first day scores in the 70s. Caroline Retabi of Keiser fired an even par 72 to lead for the day. Dalton State’s Julia McQuilken and Faulkner’s Hannah Sager are one stroke back in a tie for second at 73.
Roadrunner newcomer Katie Dalton ended the day with a 75. That puts her in a tie for fourth with Sarah Gilliard of Coastal Georgia and Franzi Knoetch of South Carolina Beaufort. Erika Wardzinski is part of a four way tie for 10th at 78 while Caroline Griffin is one shot back (79) in a four way tie for 14th. Rachel Rebne closed the day with an 81. Carly Shane and Ashley McDonald each shot an 85.
“We like our position being in first,” said McGrew. “It’s nice to have other teams chasing us but we know that Keiser is the number one ranked team in the country for a reason. The girls know what is at stake and they look forward to the challenge.”
Coastal Georgia and South Carolina Beaufort are tied for fourth with 316. Rounding out the 11 team tournament are 6) Milligan College (318), 7) Brenau University (330), 8) Palm Beach Atlantic (336), 9) St. Andrews University (346), 10) Point University ((347) and Truett-McConnell (364).