The Missouri State women's golf team is in ninth place after the first day of the Chip-N-Club Invitational in Lincoln, Neb. The Bears stumbled to an opening 318 Monday before bouncing back with 304 in the afternoon for a 622 total in two trips around the Wilderness Ridge layout. Missouri leads the 14-team field after 36 holes after shooting 299-291--590, while Nebraska and Sacramento State are tied for second at 594.
The Bears were a last-minute addition to the field after their originally-scheduled tournament, the Worldlink North Texas Classic, was rained out Sunday. A phone call put MSU in the field at Nebraska and the Bears arrived in Lincoln late Sunday night and started the tournament Monday without having previously seen the course.
"We're obviously disappointed with our play in the first round," said head coach Kevin Kane, "but I think you can chalk at least part of that up to our late arrival and no practice round. We bounced back nicely after one trip around the course and I think that's certainly more in line with our expectations."
Senior Stacey Rodger paced MSU, shooting 78-75--153 to tie for 26th place. Freshman Hermine Greyling posted 78-76--154 in her first collegiate event to tie for 30th. Next came sophomore Catherine Dolan, last season's Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year, who is tied for 38th with 79-78--157. Sophomore Kelsey Welber shot 83-78--161, while freshman Heather Smith carded 87-75--162. Sophomore Emily Potts, playing as an individual, posted 81-81--162. North Dakota State's Amy Anderson holds the individual lead after firing 69-72--141.
The final round is slated for an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start Tuesday.
