The Lee University women’s golf team will only be five strokes out of the lead when the second-round play begins on Wednesday in the NCAA DII Women’s Championship being played on the Orange County National course. Dallas Baptist University fired a 4-under par 284 to lead the tournament and the Lady Flames finished with a 1-over 289. Lee is tied with West Texas A&M for fifth place in the 18-team field.
St. Mary’s (TX) 4-under holds down the second spot while Flagler College and Findlay University even-par are tied for third.
Olivia Mitchell and Ella Cheek of Dallas Baptist set the pace for medalist honors, both firing 3-under 69s. Seven golfers joined Lee sophomore Hannah Nall in a tie for third place.
Nall set the pace for the Lady Flames on opening day. She was consistent with a 35 on the front and back, finishing with a 2-under 70. The highlight of her round came on the front nine. After a bogie on the first hole, Nall reached the par-5 green with her second shot and then rolled in a long putt for an eagle.
Banthita “Pearl” Phoncharatkun also began her round with a bogie then put together birdies on holes 4, 5 and 8 in carding a 34 on the front side and posting a 37 on the back for her 1-under 71. It was not the best day for GSC Player of the Year and All-Region standout Supuschaya “Yui” Srichantamit. Yui battled a slow start 40 on the opening nine but came back with a 34 to finish with a 2-over 74. Freshman Olivia Ireland also carded a 2-over 74 in giving Lee the four tally that counted. Emily Ritchie finished with a 78.
The Lady Flames will be among the first groups to tee off on Wednesday when they are slated for an 8:20 start.