OWENS CROSSROADS, Ala. – Led by Casey Powell's 1-over-par 73, the JU women's golf team found itself in eighth place after the first round of the ASUN Women's Championship Sunday.
The Dolphins shot a 24-over-par 312 team score on a wild weather day at the 6,150-yard, par-72 Highlands Course at RTJ Hampton Cove.
"We battled through several different weather patterns,'' JU coach Kathryn Dougan said. "We went from rain to wind (which was blowing about 25 miles per hour) to a temperature drop. The course played tough and if we eliminate some of the bad holes it wasn't a bad day.''
Powell shot an even-par 36 on her front nine and birdied the 364-yard, par 4 18th hole to card a 37 on the back over the hilly course. She landed in a four-way tie for second for individual honors a mere one stroke behind leader Lauren Thompson from Lipscomb who had 72 in the opening round.
"Casey played very consistent,'' Dougan said of the sophomore from Lexington, Ky.
Powell's teammate, Laura Pasalodos, recorded five birdies on her way to 78. Redshirt junior Susana Oliveres shot 79; while Jenna Fonda and redshirt freshman Ashley Huffman both came home in 82.
"We did our job,'' Dougan said. "(Going forward) we need to minimize our big mistakes.''
Florida Gulf Coast ended the day leading the tournament with a 10-over-par 298, followed by Lipscomb which shot a 15-over-par 303.
The second round is scheduled for Monday with the Dolphins beginning play at 8:30 a.m. while the third, and final, round is slated for Tuesday.
Fans can follow the action live at golfstat.com.
First round team scores: Florida Gulf Coast 298; Lipscomb 303; Jacksonville State 305; Kennesaw State 307; Eastern Kentucky 308; North Florida 308; Central Arkansas 309; Jacksonville 312; North Alabama 315; Bellarmine 316; Stetson 318; Austin Peay 320; Queens 321.
