April 7, 2008

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The West Florida women's golf team, currently ranked 8th in the Coaches Association / Nike World Golf poll, is participating in the Southern Miss Lady Eagle Invitational against several Division I opponents, as a tune up for the upcoming Gulf South Conference championships. The Argos are currently in seventh place, with a first round total of 325. Southern Mississippi is the round one leader with a 308 score.

Natalia Espinosa turned in the best first round score for West Florida with a 39-40 for a 18 hole score of 79, which was eight over par. Only two players were able to shoot par on the challenging 6,031 yard par 71 course. Samantha Holt of Southern Mississippi, and Shasta Averyhardt of Jackson State each turned in a 71. However, the third best score of the day was a three over 74. Espinosa's 79 placed her in a tie for 15th place.

The Argos team score was just one stroke behind 6th place Jackson State, and six strokes back of 5th place Texas-Pan American. Marshall finished one stroke back of USM for second place with a 309 score. The University of Louisiana Monroe and Birmingham Southern were third and fourth with 314 and 315 scores.

Meaghan Gulliksen and Rachel Christ were tied for 21st best, each recording an 81. Gulliksen turned in a 42-39, while Christ started strong with a 38 on the front nine, and finished the back in 43. Bhavna Shetty and Tara Steakin each carded an 84, which tied them for 26th best in the tournament of 44 golfers and eight teams. The action continues tomorrow at the Canebrake Golf Club in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.