Monday, September 17, 2007

SIMPSONVILLE, Ky. (Sept. 17, 2007) - The ETSU women's golf team opened its 2007 season Monday, competing in the Napa River Grill Cardinal Cup, and currently sits in sixth after posting a team score of 605 (309-296) in the first two rounds of the tournament. Last season's Atlantic Sun All-Freshman Team selection, Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway, Ireland), led all ETSU golfers with a 148 (74-74) and enters Tuesday's final round tied for 10th. 

After firing a first round 74, O'Sullivan posted the same mark in the second round, which bumped her up the leader board. O'Sullivan entered round two in a tie for 13th, but her two-over 74 put her into a four-way tie for 10th; placing her seven shots off the lead. Junior Lucy Gould (Bargoed, Wales), participating as an individual, sits one shot back from her sophomore teammate after ending the day with a 149 (76-73). Gould collected three consecutive birdies on holes seven, eight, and nine in order to card a one-over 73 in the second round.

Seniors Natalia Giraldo (Cali, Colombia) and Maria Ringdahl (Oland, Sweden) each finished the day with a 150, but both ended on a positive note. After recording a 76 in round one, Giraldo carded a one-over 73 in round two, positioning her way into a tie for 17th. However, the story of the day for the Bucs was Ringdahl's second round play. The senior opened up with an 81, but quickly cleared that out of her mind with a 3-under 69, marking the lowest score of the day by any participant, as well as her lowest career mark at ETSU. The 69 also sets the lowest second round score in ETSU history, and ties the lowest score in the 14-year existence of the women's golf program.

Notre Dame holds both the team and individual lead after the first two rounds. The Fighting Irish shot a 6-over 582, and holds an eight shot lead over host and defending champion Louisville. So-Hyun Park finished the day with a 3-under 141, and leads Taryn Durham (MTSU) by one stroke.

Fans can follow Tuesday's third and final round action by visiting www.golfstat.com. Be sure to visit www.ETSUBucs.com for a full recap and highlights from Tuesday's play.